Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has confirmed that five chiefs who were abducted earlier this year by Al-Shabaab militants in Mandera will receive the prestigious Head of State Commendation.
Speaking in El Wak on Tuesday, September 23, during the government’s Jukwaa la Usalama tour, Murkomen praised the administrators for their resilience and unwavering commitment to duty despite their harrowing ordeal.
“On behalf of the Government of Kenya, I want to apologise to the five chiefs who were abducted on their way to President William Ruto’s meeting. This year, they will be honoured with a state commendation for their strength and their decision to resume duty after such trauma,” Murkomen stated.
The CS further hailed chiefs across Mandera County for their sacrifice and dedication, often under life-threatening conditions due to insecurity and militant threats. He urged them to remain steadfast, noting that they serve as the government’s first line of contact with communities.
Abduction that shocked the nation
In February, suspected Al-Shabaab operatives hijacked a government vehicle carrying the chiefs from Wargadud to El Wak Town. The attack occurred between Bamba Owla and Ires Suki in Mandera South, sparking widespread outrage and raising alarm over security along the Kenya–Somalia border.
The five chiefs — from Wargadud East, Qurahmudow, and Chachabole administrative units — were taken across the border into Somalia, where they remained in captivity for two months. Their release on April 6 was credited to negotiations led by Mandera elders, though the circumstances remained unclear.
Recognition at Jamhuri Day celebrations
Murkomen said the upcoming commendation would not only celebrate the bravery of the abducted chiefs but also reassure other administrators working in volatile regions that their service and sacrifices are recognised at the highest levels of government.
The awards will be officially conferred during the Jamhuri Day celebrations later this year.
