It is very much encouraging to hear that the two Cuban doctors abducted several months ago in Mandera County are still alive.
However, what is worrying is the fact that the supected abductors are now demanding for hefty ransom of Sh 150 million to release the duo.
Though the Kenyan government has never responded to the demands, paying the quoted amount to the suspected Al-Shabaab kidnappers might set a bad precedence, let alone posing security risks to the country in the foreseeable future.
That the abduction might have been staged by local herders in Mandera is even heartbreaking. It is a thing that might obviously derail the milestones so far recorded in the fight against radicalisation and terrorism.
Although the safety of the doctors should take a top priority, paying ransom should not be considered as a viable option.
This is because it wil encourage radicalised individuals in our midst to stage occassional abductions only to demand for ransom in bid to make quick cash.
With this in mind, the government should get back to the negotiating table with the Mandera elders to look for alternative options.
However challenging the situation might be, the government should clearly state its position with finality. This is because any slight mistake made in handling the issue at hand might either spell doom for the medics or even the country as a whole.