After 8 Years in Captivity, KDF Soldier Captured by Al-Shabaab Resurfaces in Video

A Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF) soldier who was captured by the Somali-based militant group Al-Shabaab in 2016 has been seen in a newly released video. The soldier, whose identity has been kept private for security reasons, was taken hostage during an attack on the KDF base in El Adde, Somalia.

This base was overrun in a devastating raid, one of the deadliest assaults in KDF’s history, resulting in numerous casualties and others being reported as missing or captured.

The soldier’s appearance in the video, where he addresses both his family and the Kenyan government, has sparked hope. He speaks about his time in captivity and pleads for action to secure his release. Although he looks tired, his speech is clear.

This video comes just weeks after his daughter disclosed that he had made brief contact with the family for the first time in eight years. The emotional phone call reassured them that he was alive but still in captivity.

“We never lost faith, even though it was a long and agonizing silence,” said his daughter. “Hearing from him was like a miracle. Now, all we want is to have him back home.”

Efforts to locate and free captives like him have been ongoing but face numerous challenges due to Somalia’s volatile security situation and the militant group’s lack of cooperation.

The soldier’s family and supporters have called for urgent intervention by the Kenyan government and international allies to negotiate his release.

Security analysts believe that such videos are often released by militant groups to exert pressure on governments or to demand concessions. However, they also serve as critical proof of life, offering hope to families and opportunities for authorities to negotiate.

The soldier’s family, in their statement, appealed to the government for swift action. “We’ve endured years of not knowing. Now we need closure, and we need him home,” they said.

The soldier’s case highlights the sacrifices of Kenyan military personnel in combating extremism and the human toll of this conflict. For his family, it has been eight years of uncertainty, resilience, and unwavering hope. The wider community, including other KDF families, has rallied around them, offering solidarity and support.

This recent development has renewed attention on the soldier’s plight, reminding many of the ongoing conflict’s personal cost. As the family waits, their faith remains steadfast, hoping that the government will turn their hope into action and bring the soldier back home.