At least five chiefs went missing on Monday, February 3, after being ambushed and kidnapped by suspected terrorists in Elwak, Mandera County.
According to police and witnesses, the group was travelling in a vehicle to Elwak when they were attacked and hijacked between Bamba Owla and Ires Suki.
The administrators were on their way to a meeting to coordinate security plans ahead of President William Ruto’s scheduled visit to the region during the week.
Further, Mandera South police commander Julius Njeru confirmed the incident, stating that the chiefs were travelling from Wargadud to Elwak town for official duty.
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Ruto and the 5 Chiefs
President Ruto is expected to tour the northern region this week, a visit that has prompted heightened security operations.
Moreover, officials in the area noted that he is expected to hold a cabinet meeting in Garissa and visit several counties, including Isiolo, Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa.
Following the attack, a major security operation was launched, with reports indicating that the assailants fled towards Somalia.
The incident occurred near the Kenya-Somalia border, an area that has experienced frequent security threats.
Authorities have intensified efforts to locate the missing chiefs and enhance security in the region ahead of the president’s visit.
Also Read: KDF Responds to Family of Soldier Held by Al-Shabaab After Video Surfaces
Ruto’s Western Tour
The Garissa tour is expected to take place following a completed six-day development tour of the Western region on Friday, January 24.
The President kicked off his visit with the launch of the first-ever sugarcane farmers’ bonus at Mumias Sugar Company, where he disbursed Ksh150 million as part of his administration’s efforts to rejuvenate the sugar industry.
Additionally, during the tour, Ruto assessed the progress of the 220-unit Lurambi Affordable Housing Project and officially launched the Last Mile Electricity Connectivity Project in Kakamega County.
A similar electricity project was launched in Misikhu, Bungoma County, set to provide power to more than 28,000 households, further advancing the government’s rural electrification agenda.
Also while on the tour, Ruto chaired a cabinet meeting at Kakamega State Lodge
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