Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced that the five chiefs abducted earlier this year in Mandera will be awarded the prestigious Head of State Commendation. This year, the five will be awarded state commendation for their strength in going through the turmoil and still accepting to return to work,” Murkomen declared. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen in El Wak during the second day of the government’s Jukwaa la Usalama tour of Mandera County on September 23, 2025. Photo Kipchumba MurkomenIn February this year, suspected members of the outlawed Al-Shabaab terror group abducted the chiefs in Mandera County. According to Mandera South Police Commander Julius Njeru, the five administrators were travelling from Wargadud to El Wak Town for official duty when they were intercepted.