The family of a Kenya Defence Forces soldier, reportedly held captive by Al-Shabaab militants for nine years, has sent an appeal to the government to help to release their relative.
Sergeant Abdullahi Issa Ibrahim was among the several soldiers captured by militants during the deadly attack on the Kenyan-run AMISOM army base in El-Adde on January 15, 2016.
Nine years after he was presumed dead, A video has emerged depicting Abdullahi appealing for help from the government.
In the emotional Video, Sergeant Abdullahi describes his experiences since entering Somalia as part of the 9KR battalion, based at the Moi Barracks in Eldoret.
“I’m a Kenyan soldier. After the attack, we expected the Kenyan government would turn out to secure our release so we can reunite with our families,” he said in the video.
Speaking after the emergence of the clip, the sergeant’s family, including his daughter Kathra, expressed the depression they have undergone after they received his death certificate from the KDF.
He stated,”As a family, we have been depressed, confused, and do not know where to turn. For the last eight years, we lost hope. We have been living like orphans.”
According to the sergeant’s daughter Kathra, she received a strange call from Somalia from a man who identified himself as her father. Sceptical, Kathra requested video evidence, and after a month, they received the clip.
“We are asking as a family, the 10 years of torture is enough. We need him back home,” Kathra added.
Besides Abdullahi’s video, Al-Shabaab militants released another clip of a different Kenyan soldier who comes from Trans-Nzoia county, with the same message.
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