Mandera Youth Governor Mohamednur Mamo has condemned the recent abduction of the two Cuban doctors in the county on Friday, April 12.
Doctors Landy Rodriguez (a surgeon) and Herera Correa (physician) were ambushed by the Somali-based insurgents. One of the bodyguards assigned to the doctors was killed during the tiff.
They were stationed at the Mandera County Referral Hospital.
The Youth Governor noted that the act was tainting the image of the county which is making efforts in fighting violent extremism among youths.
"I condemn in the strongest term possible the attack on and kidnapping of the two Cuban doctors in Mandera," said Mamo in an exclusive interview with Hivisasa.
He added that the incident "happened just a few hours before the county governments launched the County Actions Plan on Prevention and Counter-violent extremism."
Mamo further noted that the government should move with speed and rescue the two doctors. He also called on authorities in Somalia to work with the Kenya police to rescue the two Cuban doctors.
"I'd love to ask the national government to do as much as possible to get our two doctors back safe. We also appeal to the neighbouring government to help us get them. It's a sad day for all of us," he stated.
The abduction of the two has seen the government withdraw other Cuban doctors from other counties in North Eastern and those in Lamu and Kilifi.
The Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai has pledged to pursue the terrorist group.
"Following the morning incident in Mandera County where two Cuban doctors were abducted, our security agencies are working with Somalia Government Security agencies to pursue the abductors into Somalia with the objective of rescuing the victims. We will keep you updated on the progress of the operation," read his tweet.
ON Sunday, Mandera Governor Ali Roba said that they will send elders to Somalia to negotiate the release of the two Cuban doctors.
Rescue efforts by police who on Sunday used choppers to rescue the doctors have not borne any fruits yet.
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