How captured KDF soldier reached daughter from Al-Shabaab prison

NAIROBI, Kenya - In the outskirts of Eldoret City, a few kilometers from Sugoi, the home of Kenyan President William Ruto, a family gathers to address the media, not because of celebrations, but rather, in what can be described as a "somber" gathering.

Neighbours and friends start trickling into the small bushy compound, with hope written everywhere — they had presumed Sgt Abdullahi Isse Ibrahim dead, but now there is huge evidence that he is alive, though an Al-Shabaab prisoner.

Before the family talks to the media, they unanimously agree to have Kadra Abdullahi as the spokesperson — she is the daughter of the missing KDF sergeant and was the first to be reached by the officer through a mysterious number.

"About a month ago, I was reached through a mysterious number from Somalia, " she starts narrating the ordeal. "The caller identified as my father and confirmed he is alive. He just called for help and I could hear the depression in him," Kadra says.

"I was confused and asked him to send a video evidence so that we can be sure of where to start from, " adds the emotional young lady, who perhaps was cautious of possible scammers who could take advantage of the situation.

A month later this week, a video of Sgt Abdullahi, now old and feeble emerges on social media from the Al-shabaab's propaganda wing — the group has its media where they disseminate information on current issues as they fight the Somali government and foreign troops.

In most instances, the al-Kataib media wing is used by the militants to blackmail governments and people in search of ramsons while also spreading information — mostly fake news to express their dominance.

And the family now confirms indeed the man in the video is their missing kin, who has been away from home and service for 9 years. He appears in military fatigue and explicitly explains his ordeal at the hands of his captors.

Pain and anguish

Sgt Abdullahi did not last long in Somalia as he was captured only after 15 days. During the fateful day, the militants stormed into the KDF base in El-Adde within the Gedo region, registering one of the key victories against Kenyan soldiers.

Although the official report is not yet out, it is presumed over 200 soldiers died with several others suffering lifetime injuries. But less spoken about are those captured alive by the militants whose whereabouts remain unknown.

"I am a prisoner of war, kept by Al-Shabaab. I was born in Wajir, 61 years ago and joined KDF in 1986," the veteran says in the rare interview. "I served in 9KR. We have been waiting for help in Al-Shabaab prison, please plead for our release. "

The 9th Kenya Rifles (9KR) is based in Eldoret and is the center for Recruits Training School (RTS) thus explaining the family's stay in the Western part of the country, away from their Wajir home in Northeastern Province.

It is not clear if the KDF has been tracking the whereabouts of missing soldiers but Kadra says the family had obtained a presumption of death certificate from KDF — it indicates that the soldier is presumed dead since they cannot be traced.

"The family is depressed, my mother is on antidepressants and one of my brothers is not okay. We have been looking for help for the last nine years and we are glad that KDF is always in touch with us," she says.

"We know Al-Shabaab cannot negotiate with the family. Please, Mr President — William Ruto, help us get our father so that this mental torture comes to a closure. We plead with you to make it happen," she adds.

Kenya's policy on terrorism

Although Kadra Abdullahi is optimistic that one day the old man will be released, Kenya has a strict policy on negotiations with Al-Shabaab — there is no room for negotiation with terror outfits.

This explains the ordeal of two Cuban doctors Assel Herrera and Landy Rodriguez — a general practitioner and a surgeon — who were abducted in Mandera, near the border of Somalia in April 2019, leading to intense negotiations for their release.

But throughout the process, the Kenyan government refused to take part in the negotiations, forcing clan elders in Mandera to cross over to Somalia and try to negotiate for their release — the militants were asking for $1.5 million as ransom.

Sadly, the negotiations broke down on the way, forcing Al-Shabaab to continue holding the medics. Last year, unverified reports from Al-Kataib claimed that the two had been killed in a US airstrike within Middle Jubba with the militants displaying their bodies. The US is still investigating the claim.

It is not just Sgt Abdullahi Isse Ibrahim. In 2021, the militants also released another video of Sgt Wasike Wanyonyi, also a purported KDF soldier in Al-Shabaab jail, who is said to have been captured after the El-Adde attack. Little is known about his whereabouts, four years later.

Seth Odongo, a policy analyst, says it is time Kenya reviews its policy on negotiations with terror groups. "President Ruto should bring this soldier and any other soldier still being held captive back at home," he says. "The policy of non-negotiations with terrorists must end now. Even Israel had to sit across the table with Hamas."

GAROWE ONLINE