Police officers held captive for two years in Somalia finally return home

AP officers Joseph Wambugu (Right) and Fredrick Chirchir during the home coming party in Sotik. (Photo: Gilbert Kimutai/Standard)

Fortune has conspired to give two Administration Police officers a gift - one more chance to live.  Fredrick Chirchir and Joseph Wambugu, who were rescued last week after two years in captivity in Somalia, spoke emotionally about what they termed as their second chance to live.

The two constables, who were seized by Al Shabaab militia on May 25, 2013, during a raid on two police stations in Liboi near the Kenya and Somalia border at Damajaleh, were given a heroic reception at Chirchir's home in Bomet on Saturday.

They sat calmly, following proceedings during the homecoming party attended by hundreds of residents at Kiricha village. 

In his short speech, Chirchir thanked God that he was safely back from the hands of the captors.

"You are all aware of what had happened to me and my colleague Wambugu. It is because of God's mercies and your prayers that we lived to see this day," he said.

Wambugu also praised God for giving them a second chance to live.  "We do not take for granted the chance we have had to live again as we did not think we would live again," he said.

Chirchir's father, Joseph Maritim, was overcome with joy on seeing his son for the first time since his abduction.

"We thank God that He saved him from the jaws of a dreaded group that does not see any value in human life. I could not imagine seeing him back during all that time but now I am glad and thank God for him," said Maritim, as he struggled to fight back tears of joy

The officers, who sat together during the party looked healthy and relieved to be free as they chatted jovially. They were accompanied by AP Deputy Director in charge of Internal Affairs Githai Kanyeki.

Kanyeki said the duo needs enough time to rest and urged residents to stop tormenting them with questions about their time in captivity.

"These people need time and we should not ask them about their stay as it may remind them of what they underwent in the hands of the terrorists," Kanyeki told the Press after the party.

Chirchir's wife, Fancy Lang'at, could not hide her joy, saying the two years were so traumatising for her and their two-year-old son. "I can now afford a smile like anybody else since he is back. I could not imagine living without him," she said.

The party was attended by National Assembly Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso, Bomet Senator Wilfred Lesan, MPs Paul Bii (Chepalungu), Bernard Bett (Bomet East), Cecilia Ngetich (Woman Rep) and Mohamud Haji (Banasi).

Dr Laboso hailed the Government's efforts in rescuing the officers. "It's our joy that Chirchir and Wambugu are back home safely and we thank God. It is actually because of him that you are alive today," Laboso said.