Tension has escalated in Moyale, Marsabit County, following the abduction of two South Korean missionaries on Monday evening.
The region, which has long been plagued by sporadic violence and lawlessness emanating from across the border, now faces a fresh wave of insecurity that has left the local community in shock and fear.
The victims, David Lee and his mother-in-law, Hiwi Sokk Cheon, were forcibly taken from their residence within the Odda Mission Church (OMC) Secondary School compound around 9 pm.
The armed assailants, who remain unidentified, stormed their home and dragged the missionaries away, leaving behind a trail of terror.
David Lee and Hiwi Sokk Cheon were known for their dedicated work in the region, particularly in community outreach programmes that provided much-needed aid and support to the local population.
Their abduction has sent shockwaves through the community, with many fearing for the safety of those who have committed their lives to helping others in this volatile area.
Marsabit County Commissioner James Kamau confirmed the incident during a press conference on Tuesday, August 13. He revealed that the missionaries were attacked by gunmen who had carefully planned the operation.
The attackers, armed with rifles, entered the compound with precision, targeting the missionaries and disappearing into the night.
The violence did not end with the kidnapping. In a separate but equally horrifying incident, gunmen in "jungle attire" ambushed a lorry west of Moyale city, approximately 100 kilometres from the site of the abduction.
The assailants shot dead eight people before setting their bodies on fire beside the lorry. The brutality of these acts has left the region reeling, with many questioning the effectiveness of the government's ongoing security operations.
Efforts to locate the kidnapped missionaries have so far been unsuccessful. Deputy County Commissioner David Saruni disclosed that the last known signal from David Lee's mobile phone was traced to the border with Ethiopia.
However, the trail has since gone cold, as the phone was switched off, adding to the growing concern for their safety.
The South Korean embassy in Nairobi has been notified of the abduction and is working closely with Kenyan authorities to secure the release of the missionaries.
However, the embassy has yet to comment publicly on the situation, leaving many questions unanswered.
Meanwhile, national security teams have launched a comprehensive search operation to find the kidnapped missionaries. The operation includes ground patrols, aerial surveillance, and intelligence gathering, all aimed at locating and safely retrieving David Lee and Hiwi Sokk Cheon.
Commissioner Kamau has reassured the public that no effort will be spared in bringing the perpetrators to justice and ensuring the safe return of the hostages.
"Our primary focus is on the safe recovery of the hostages. We are working tirelessly to apprehend those responsible for this heinous act and to prevent any further incidents," Kamau stated.
