Rescued aid workers arrive home Saturday

By JOE KIARIE

Somalia: Two Kenyan aid workers kidnapped by the Al Shabaab militia over two years ago are expected in the country today after they were rescued by Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).

According to KDF spokesman Emmanuel Chirchir, James Kiarie Gichui, a driver with a non-governmental organisation, was kidnapped on November 19, 2011 in Dadaab while Daniel Njuguna Wanyoike, a turnboy, was kidnapped at Afmadhow on October 5, the same year.

They were rescued on Thursday evening by KDF troops serving in the African Union Mission to Somalia (Amisom) before being airlifted to Dhobley.

Military officials said the two were yesterday undergoing medical check up at the Dhobley Level Two Hospital.

Kenyan and foreign aid workers and tourists have in the past been held hostages by Al Shabaab militia along the Kenya-Somalia border.

In July last year, two Kenyan hostages were reunited with their families after being freed by militants in Somalia.

Yesse Mule, who was a District Officer at the time of the kidnapping, and Fredrick Wainana were abducted in Gerille in January 2012 by Al-Shabaab militia. Mr Mule later revealed that they were moved to 19 different locations in Somalia, chained and blindfolded throughout their captivity.