Five chiefs from Elwak, Mandera South — who endured 62 harrowing days in captivity after being abducted by suspected Al-Shabaab militants — have shared their ordeal and appealed for urgent support as they rebuild their lives.
Speaking at the Jukwaa la Usalama Security Baraza in Elwak town, the administrators — Adaw Abdi Mohammed, Mohammed Hassan, Mohammed Nur, Ibrahim Gabow, Abdi Hassan, and Abdi Hassan Suraw — described the suffering they faced in Somalia and the anguish their families endured back home.
“We went through a lot of suffering there, leaving our families in distress,” said Chief Adaw Abdi Mohammed, thanking Kenyans for prayers and solidarity that gave them strength until their rescue.
Despite returning safely, the chiefs are grappling with deep psychological trauma and financial strain after being out of work for two months. They have formally requested government assistance for trauma counseling and economic relief.
The leaders also backed the government’s plan to arm and train local administrators in frontline counties to counter terrorism more effectively. They requested improved logistical support, including motorbikes and National Police Reservists (NPRs), to strengthen community security efforts.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen hailed the five as heroes and pledged State commendations during Mashujaa Day celebrations, alongside enhanced welfare and safety measures for administrators in high-risk areas.
Security agencies, led by DCI boss Mohamed Amin, urged chiefs and residents to uphold integrity, cooperate with law enforcement, and reject practices that compromise identification systems — a critical step in the fight against extremism in Mandera and other frontier regions.
