Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced that five chiefs who were abducted by suspected terrorists in Mandera earlier this year will be recognised with the Head of State Commendation.

Murkomen made the announcement on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, during the second day of the Jukwaa la Usalama tour in El Wak, Mandera County. He addressed leaders, security officers, and residents from Mandera Central, Kotulo, Mandera West, Dandu, and Kiliwehiri sub-counties.

“Pia ningependa kusema nawashukuru sana, nawashukuru sana machifu wetu ambao wanajitolea kila siku. Na kwa niaba ya serikali ya Kenya, ningependa kusema kwamba wale machifu walikuwa wanaenda safari ya mkutano ya rais. Na wakakuwa abducted jiani na adui, ninawapatia tena pole,” he said.

“Na ninasema katika mwaka huu, hawa chiefs wote watapata state recognition. Watatambuliwa na serikali kwa sababu ya ujasiri wao ya kupitia mashida, na bado wamerudi kufanya kazi. We will give them Head of State Commendation kwa ile sherehe itafanyika mwaka huu.”

The five administrators, Hassan Kulmia (Chief Wargadud East location), Mohamed Hache (Chachabole location), Adaw Mohamed (Wargadud Town), Ibrahim Gabow (Assistant Chief Wargadud East sub-location), and Abdi Suraw (Quramathow location), were kidnapped on February 4, 2025.

They were on their way to Elwak when heavily armed militants intercepted their vehicle between Bamba Owla and Ires Suki.

At the time, the chiefs were preparing for President William Ruto’s planned tour of northern Kenya. Security officials reported that the abductors blindfolded the officers, seized their vehicle, and crossed into Somalia. The incident happened just days before the president’s visit, prompting a major joint security operation.

Government to arm chiefs

President Ruto condemned the abduction, calling it a desperate attempt by terrorists to instil fear. He assured residents that the government would not relent until the chiefs were released. Two months later, the administrators were freed after negotiations involving elders, community leaders, and government officials.

Murkomen confirmed their release on April 7, 2025, describing it as “very good news” for the country.

The Interior CS has also outlined new measures to strengthen security for chiefs and assistant chiefs working in terror-prone regions. On Monday, September 22, 2025, while speaking in Mandera town, he said that all chiefs in such areas would be armed before the end of the year.

“By December, all chiefs in need of firearm protection should be armed. Those who do not require training should be issued firearms without delay,” Murkomen said. Those unfamiliar with firearms will undergo training before being issued with guns.

He added that Mandera had enjoyed relative calm following the deployment of a multi-agency security team along the Somalia and Ethiopia borders. However, he warned that there was no room for complacency.

Murkomen also promised to equip and recruit more National Police Reservists to support ongoing efforts against cattle rustling and cross-border threats. Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, who attended the forum, urged residents to cooperate with officers to improve safety in the county.