Two Kenyans held hostage in Somalia

PHOTO | FILE Seafarers Union of Kenya secretary-general Andrew Mwangura (left) addressing a press conference in the past. Two Kenyan engineers working for a construction company in Mogadishu have been abducted by gunmen believed to be Somali pirates.

What you need to know:

  • Seafarers Union of Kenya secretary-general Andrew Mwangura further said the gunmen have demanded a ransom of $1 million (Sh86 million) to free their hostages.
  • He said the two are currently under captive in the pirates-infested Galgaduud region of Harardhere District.

Two Kenyan engineers working for a construction company in Mogadishu have been abducted by gunmen believed to be Somali pirates.

Seafarers Union of Kenya secretary-general Andrew Mwangura further said the gunmen have demanded a ransom of $1 million (Sh86 million) to free their hostages.

“Additional information says that unknown militia from Habargidir (Ayr) abducted them and demanded ransom from the family of the two Kenyan engineers, insisting on $1 million to set them free,” he said.
Mr Mwangura said the Kenyans were working for African Construction Company.
He, however, said they are yet to get the names of the Kenyans, who were kidnapped on January 12 in Hodan District within the Somali capital Mogadishu.
The Kenyan seafarers boss said a number of Kenyans working in Somalia have confirmed reports about the abduction.
“There are many Kenyans working in Somalia as carpenters, electricians, plumbers and engineers, among other jobs. We were just informed that two Kenyan engineers were taken hostage last month,” said Mr Mwangura (above) in an interview with the Nation.
He added: “The moment we get their names through our contacts, we shall trace their homes in Kenya and their families to get more information.”
He said the two are currently under captive in the pirates-infested Galgaduud region of Harardhere District.