The Al-Shabaab militants have demanded 7 million ransoms for five chiefs kidnapped from Northern Kenya.
The kidnap occurred on February 3rd, 2025, just before President Ruto arrived in Mandera.
According to reports, the chiefs were travelling to Elwak when they were ambushed and abducted by the suspected Al-Shabaab between Bamba Owla and Ires Suki.
They were going for a meeting preparation for the upcoming visit of the Head of State.
Currently, villages in the area are raising money for their release amidst push for the government to take over the issue.
Yesterday they held separate meetings in Mandera and Nairobi to raise the funds.
“This is likely to raise concerns about 60 other people including the security agents who are being held by the terrorists in Somalia. The individuals include Kenya Defense Forces Soldiers who were taken hostage from El Ade area and are being held in Jilb region, others are locals” the officials said.
They also disclosed that another fundraising is being conducted to raise over Ksh. 2 million for the release of a soldier in Wajir being held in Jilb since January 2016.
