Suspected Al-Shabaab militants kidnap Kenyan businessmen

GARISSA, Kenya - Police in the border town of Garissa have launched a manhunt for suspected Somalia-based Al-Shabaab militants who are said to have kidnapped two businessmen.

Abdulahi Isaack Harun and Abdi Hassan Ilkaase were attacked on Thursday, December 26, at around 7 am and their whereabouts remain scanty.

They were ferrying miraa to Liboi but on reaching Wardeglo Dam, they were waylaid by the assailants and are believed to have been taken to Somalia, police said.

ELDERS' INTERVENTION

The latest incident was reported by two elders from Garissa, who witnessed the incident near the Wardeglo area. They are said to have been driven to Somalia.

Riding on a Land Cruiser, witnesses said, they were hijacked by armed gunmen. The two businessmen were ferrying Miraa (Khat) to the Kenya-Somalia border.

"The vehicle was last spotted around Osman Baret between Abdisugow junction to Gubahadhe Somalia border at around 8:30 am," police said in a report.

BORDER SECURITY MEETINGS

The incident comes barely a day after the Kenyan government pledged to work with elders from both Kenya and Somalia to restore normalcy in NFDs.

Wajir County Commissioner Jacob Narengo on Wednesday said incorporating elders from the Somali community will curb frequent Al-Shabaab attacks.

"We urge the same elders to co-operate with law enforcement agencies and local administrators by voluntarily sharing information which will allow security agencies to act on time,” he had said.

Elders are respected on matters governance, security, and development among members of the Somali community within the two nations.

RISING CASES OF ABDUCTIONS

Thursday's abduction takes the tally of those kidnapped on Kenyan soil to a record eight.

Last week, four construction workers were kidnapped near the Kenya-Somalia border in Wajir. The four are yet to be rescued by security forces.

In April this year, two Cuban doctors working in Mandera County were also kidnapped. Reports from the Kenyan government indicate that they are still alive.

Al-Shabaab militants demanded $1.5 million ransom, an offer that was outrightly rejected by the Kenyan government. Elders from Mandera are still negotiating for their release.

SEVERAL DEATHS IN NORTHERN KENYA

Although security forces from both Somalia and Kenya have done much to contain the group, it still remains a threat to stability in the two nations.

For instance, the group killed 11 people near the Kutulo area in Wajir early this month, with their targets being mainly non-locals.

In November, 11 policemen were killed also in Garissa County, barely a month after six others were killed under similar circumstances in Wajir.

However, KDF's Special Forces team has camped the area, with the launching of Modika barracks in Garissa this month meant to increase surveillance in the region.

GAROWE ONLINE