This archive report was first published on 25 December 2019.
Published on December 25, 2019, three Kenyans, including two civil engineers, have been held captive by Somali gunmen since 2014, with their families yet to receive any communication from the government.
George Macharia Mburu and George Macharia Njoki, married cousins, were kidnapped on or about January 12, 2014, in Hodan District near Trabuun Stadium while working for a construction company in Mogadishu.
The unknown militia from Habargidir (Ayr) demanded a ransom of one million US dollars from their families, claiming they were under the control of Mohammed Gafanje.
The last known position of the hostages is Harardhere District in the Galgaduud region, where they have been held for six years, with their families fearing for their safety.
“Fear for their safety persists especially because they are deprived of contact with their families,” says Mr Andrew Mwangura, an official of Kenya Seafearers.
Mr Mwangura also mentioned that the hostages must have undergone trauma when their ships were attacked with automatic weapons prior to the kidnap and demand for ransom.
Lois Njoki Weru was captured along with her partner, James Kuria, in November 2014, while delivering medicine in Somalia. Mr Kuria was freed during an operation by Somali security forces last February.
