NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 7 — Five chiefs who were kidnapped by suspected Al-Shabaab militants two months ago in Elwak, Mandera County have been released.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed the new development as “good news” saying that the administrators are now in the hands of Kenyan officials.

He noted that the Chiefs would soon be reunited with their families.

“This is very good news based on collaborative efforts that I announced before that as the government we decided to work together with the community together with the county government of Mandera and the local community and this process has borne fruit,” Murkomen said Monday from Mombasa.

Authorities reported on February that the administrators were traveling to Elwak when they were ambushed and abducted by the militants between Bamba Owla and Ires Suki.

Mandera South Police Commander Julius Njeru confirmed the incident, stating that the victims were en route from Wargadud to Elwak when the attack occurred.

The kidnapping came just days before President William Ruto was scheduled to visit the northern region.

On February 4, Ruto described the abduction as a desperate attempt by terrorists to instil fear among residents, promising that security agencies would ensure the safe return of the kidnapped chiefs.

“I want to promise the people of Mandera that the abducted chiefs will be brought back home. We will spare no effort in dealing with these criminal elements,” he assured.

To reinforce security, Ruto instructed the NPS to launch an immediate operation targeting terrorist networks in the region.

“I have directed the National Police Service to initiate an operation to deal with the criminal elements operating in this part of the country,” he announced.