Two South Korean missionaries were abducted by gunmen in northern Kenya near the Ethiopian border. The kidnapping occurred on Monday evening, while a separate, deadly attack in the same region claimed the lives of eight Kenyans. This region, known for its arid landscape and frequent violence, has long been a hotspot for armed raids and other criminal activities.
The situation in the borderlands between Kenya and Ethiopia has been tense, with the area plagued by weapons and frequent incursions by armed groups. Last year, the Kenyan government launched a security operation aimed at disarming local bandits and restoring order. However, despite these efforts, violence continues to disrupt the lives of those living in the region.
Marsabit County Governor Mohamud Ali confirmed the abduction in a statement released on Tuesday. “Two missionaries of Korean origin were abducted and are being held incommunicado to date,” he said. The news of the kidnapping has raised alarm both locally and internationally, as authorities scramble to locate and secure the release of the hostages.
According to local reports, the two South Koreans—a male missionary and his mother-in-law—were taken from their home in the village of Odda. The abduction occurred around 9 p.m. local time (1800 GMT) on Monday. Marsabit County Commissioner James Kamau provided additional details, stating that the kidnapped individuals were a South Korean man and his mother-in-law, who were residing in the village at the time of the incident.
The abductors managed to escape with the hostages, and efforts to trace them have so far been unsuccessful. Deputy County Commissioner David Saruni revealed that the man’s mobile phone was last tracked near the border with Ethiopia. “Efforts to locate him have been futile since the phone has been switched off,” Saruni said late Tuesday. The situation remains fluid, with authorities continuing to search for the missing individuals.
The South Korean embassy in Nairobi has yet to comment on the situation. When contacted, the embassy did not immediately respond to an emailed request for information regarding the abduction. Meanwhile, Kenya’s national police spokesperson, Resila Onyango, acknowledged the kidnapping but was unable to provide further details at this time.
The kidnapping of the missionaries is a grim reminder of the persistent insecurity in northern Kenya, particularly in areas near the Ethiopian border. The region’s harsh terrain and history of violence have made it difficult for the government to maintain control, despite ongoing security efforts. The presence of weapons and the frequent attacks by armed groups continue to threaten the safety of both locals and foreigners in the area.
In a separate but equally tragic incident on Monday night, gunmen dressed in “jungle attire” attacked a group of travelers about 100 kilometers (62 miles) west of the city of Moyale. The attackers shot dead eight people and then set their bodies on fire beside the lorry in which they had been traveling. This brutal attack highlights the extent of violence in the region and the dangers faced by those who travel through it.
The attack near Moyale is believed to be connected to the broader security challenges in the region, where various armed groups often clash over resources, territory, and other issues. The frequent violence has left communities in the area living in fear, with many people hesitant to travel due to the constant threat of attack.
