Suspected al Shabaab gunmen abduct local officials in northeast Kenya

The incident happened in Mandera county when the five village chiefs, government-appointed local officials, were heading to the town of Elwak.

By REUTERS FEBRUARY 3, 2025 16:02

Protesters carry Al-Qaeda flags during an anti-government protest after Friday prayers in the town of Marat Numan in Idlib province, Syria (photo credit: KHALIL ASHAWI / REUTERS)

Gunmen suspected of belonging to the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab group abducted five government officials in northeast Kenya on Monday as they were on their way to work, local leaders were quoted on Monday as saying.

The incident happened in Mandera county when the five village chiefs, government-appointed local officials, were heading to the town of Elwak, Citizen TV said, quoting North Eastern Regional Commissioner John Otieno.

Nation newspaper reported the same incident, quoting Mandera South police commander Julius Njeru. Both blamed al Shabaab.

Suspects being pursued

Police spokesperson Michael Nyaga confirmed the incident and said the suspects were being pursued, but not specify who authorities believed were responsible.

Somali security officers assess the scene of a suicide car bomb explosion, at the gate of Naso Hablod Two Hotel in Hamarweyne district of Mogadishu, Somalia October 29, 2017. (credit: REUTERS)

Al Shabaab has been fighting for years in Somalia to topple the central government and establish its own rule based on its strict interpretation of Islamic sharia law.

It has also carried out attacks in neighboring Kenya as part of efforts to press Kenya to withdraw troops from Somalia, where they are part of an international peacekeeping force defending the central government.