President Wiliam Ruto has alleged that five chiefs were abducted in an attempt to block his visit from Mandera.
While addressing residents of Mandera County, President Ruto said that such attempts would not prevent him from visiting the county and assured them that he would ensure the safety of the Northern region of Kenya.
“Unajua hawa wajinga walikuwa wanafikiria ya kwamba wakifanya hiyo maneno walifaya jana ati ndio nisikuje hapa. Hao ni wazimu. Mimi sio ati nimekuja Mandera. Nimekuja na Mandera na ni nalala Mandela,”
Loosely translated to mean:
“You know, these fools were thinking that by doing what they did yesterday, I wouldn’t come here. They are mad. I haven’t just come to Mandera—I have come with Mandera, and I am staying in Mandera,” President Ruto said.
Ruto Assures Mandera Residents of Enhanced Security in the Region
The Head of State further emphasized that every region of Kenya is significant, and he will not allow any area of Kenya to be subjected to terrorist attacks.
“I want to make it absolutely clear that every part of Kenya is important and we are not going to cede inch of our country to criminals and those who want to unleash mayhem in our republic,” the Head of State emphasized.
Also Read: Ruto Gives Students Ksh1 Million for Lunch
At the same time, President Ruto assured Mandera residents that his administration would pursue the suspected Al-Shabaab militants who abducted the chiefs.
5 Chiefs Abducted by Al-Shabaab Ahead of Ruto’s Visit in North Eastern Region
President Ruto’s response comes just a day after five chiefs were ambushed and kidnapped by suspected terrorists in El Wak, Mandera County.
According to police reports and eyewitness accounts, the group was traveling in a vehicle to El Wak when they were attacked and hijacked between Bamba Owla and Ires Suki.
Also Read: Ruto Fires Back at Gachagua and Kalonzo
The administrators were enroute to a meeting to coordinate security plans ahead of President William Ruto’s scheduled visit to the region later this week.
Mandera South police commander Julius Njeru confirmed the incident, stating that the chiefs were traveling from Wargadud to El Wak town for official duties.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and join our WhatsApp Group for real-time news updates
