Kenyan hostages set to reunite with families

39 Kenyan crew members held hostage by Somali pirates for the last four months in the Indian Ocean will reunite with their families on Monday morning in Mombasa.

The fv Golden Wave is expected to dock at the Mombasa port after it was released by the pirates last Wednesday. No ransom was paid for the vessel that was hijacked 10 nautical miles from the Kenyan coast in October last year.

East Africa Seafarers assistant programme co-ordinator Andrew Mwangura confirmed the release of the vessel.

“It is good news to inform relatives of the crew members that the ship is safe and is expected to dock at the port in the morning,” said Mr Mwangura.

Among the hijacked crew are three members of the same family. Four others are said to have previously gone through a similar ordeal with pirates.

Ms Mary Kanja’s husband, Richard Kanja, has been a seaman for over 10 years. She recalled the experience she went through when her husband's vessel
was hijacked by pirates two years ago.

“When I spoke to him a couple of days before they were hijacked he told me they were okay and would be home soon. But I was shocked to
learn later that they were hijacked,” added the mother of four.

Ms Elizabeth Molly, whose husband is among the crew, said she is looking forward to meeting her husband.

“We have prayed and our prayers have been answered. I hope my husband will arrive safe,” she said.