Reports from Mandera say that five of the local chiefs are missing after they were abducted by gunmen believed to be members of Al-Shabaab in Eelwaq district of Mandera region in northeastern Kenya.
The reports say that the Aqeel were taken by force by a group of Al-Shabaab and were taken between Wargaduud and Eelwaq at around 7:40 am today, Monday, February 3.
Mandera South Police Commissioner Julius Njeru has confirmed this incident. Reports say that the five chiefs were traveling with a Mazda car belonging to G/sr Mohamed Nur Hashi when the kidnapping took place.
The kidnappers are believed to have moved with the chiefs towards the Somali border.
Al-Shabaab has been active in this region which borders Somalia several times, as Al-Shabaab is popular in these areas.
Also, President William Ruto is set to start a week-long tour of the North Eastern region of Kenya today.