Five chiefs from Elwak in Mandera South have shared their harrowing experiences after spending 62 days in captivity at the hands of Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia. The administrators—Adaw Abdi Mohammed, Mohammed Hassan, Mohammed Nur, Ibrahim Gabow, Abdi Hassan, and Abdi Hassan Suraw—spoke during the Jukwaa la Usalama Security Baraza in Elwak town, where they called for both government and community support.
The chiefs revealed that their abduction left their families in distress, with months of uncertainty and no source of income. “We went through a lot of suffering there, leaving our families in distress,” said Adaw Abdi Mohammed. They thanked Kenyans for their prayers, noting that national solidarity gave them the strength to endure until their rescue.
Back home, however, challenges remain. The administrators face financial strain and lingering trauma, and are appealing for counseling services as well as economic assistance. “Our families are struggling. We have been out of work for two months. We have written a request to government asking for help,” explained Mohammed Hassan.
The chiefs also expressed support for the government’s plan to arm and train local administrators in frontline counties. They emphasized the need for resources such as motorbikes and National Police Reservists (NPRs) to improve mobility and security.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen pledged that the government would recognize the bravery of the five chiefs during the upcoming Mashujaa Day celebrations. He assured administrators in high-risk areas of better welfare and enhanced protection. “We will honor you and respond to the challenges chiefs in the frontier counties undergo,” Murkomen said.
At the same forum, DCI boss Mohamed Amin urged chiefs to uphold integrity in their roles, particularly in the issuance of identification documents, warning that corruption compromises security. Security agencies also called on residents to cooperate fully in the fight against terrorism.
For the five chiefs, their ordeal is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by administrators in frontier counties—and of the urgent need for stronger support systems.
