Pirates free 10 Kenyan sailors, seized ship held for four months

By Patrick Beja

Somali pirates have released 10 Kenyan seamen held hostage for over four months.

The fishing vessel, MV Sakoba was yesterday reported to be in "safe waters" headed for Mombasa port with all the 16-crew members.

Other crew on board are from Senegal, Spain, Poland, Namibia and Cape Verde.

East Africa Seafarers Assistance Programme Programmes Co-ordinator Andrew Mwangura said the release of the vessel and crew was confirmed yesterday morning.

"I received the news of the ship’s release as I was holding a weekly meeting with the family members of the captured sailors," he said.

It was not clear whether ransom was paid to the pirates to secure release of the vessel and the hostages.

Ms Grace Ida and Ms Asha Bakari, family members of the sailors, were overjoyed after they received the news.

"We had lost hope of seeing our relatives alive. This is a miracle," said Ida.

Mwangura said yesterday the Kenyan registered MV Sakoba is expected to dock at the port in the next four days.

He said the ship’s release followed months of negotiations between pirates and the owner.

Somali pirates hijacked the vessel on March 3.