Thursday, August 1, 2013

Tears flow as freed Kenyans reunite with families


Mr Stephen Mutinda Mule (C).  NATION MEDIA GROUP

 
By FRED MUKINDA

Tears flowed freely as Kenya government officials abducted by Somalia militia al-Shabaab almost two years ago were reunited with their families.


Mule Yasse, who was kidnapped in Wajir County where he was a District Officer, was released to the family by Interior Cabinet Secretary Jospeh Lenku at the ministry’s headquarters Thursday. (READ: Freed Kenyans yet to see families).


He was accompanied by Fredrick Wainaina, an official at the Registrar of Persons office.
The two had been held by the terrorist group in Somalia.
Mr Lenku said no ransom was paid to secure their release.


"Today (Thursday) is a great day for it marks the end of their agony. The release of the two government officials was made possible following successful negotiations spearheaded by border communities in the North Eastern region,” he said.


Set eyes on his son
The DO’s father Edward Yasse could not hold back tears as he set eyes on his son for the first time since the abduction on January 12, 2012.


Six Kenyans were killed and three others injured during the abduction in which more than 100 al-Shabaab fighters raided Gerille Administration Police post, near the border with Somalia.


“The journey to Somalia started there but I can also say that’s when the journey to freedom started. We were always blindfolded and bound in chains. I realised that as long as you are breathing you should never lose hope, anything else like a bath is just luxury,” said Mr Mule.


Mr Lenku said the two were freed last Sunday and that the government is working to ensure other Kenyans being held hostage are released. 


“The government would wish to thank the families of the two officers for their patience and cooperation throughout this very trying moment. We also thank all those who played a role towards the release of the two officers, and appeal that similar cooperation is extended in future,” he said.


The Nation independently established that the two were received by officers from the National Intelligence Service and Directorate of Military Intelligence who spoke to them before they were released to the fami

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