Four Kenyans - two paramedics, their driver and a patient - who were abducted on Tuesday, November 1, were released three days later, on Thursday, November 4.
The four were abducted in Elwak as they rushed the patient to a hospital for first-aid treatment.
According to Mandera county commissioner, Onesmus Kyatha, the four victims were freed following negotiations between local elders and administrators.
"All of them are safe and sound," the county commissioner told the media.
Lafey MCA, Adan Hussein Rahoy, confirmed the reports, adding that the four were attended to by medics and counsellors.
According to Rahoy, no ransom was paid to the insurgents. The MCA commended the work of the local elders who helped negotiate the quartet's release.
However, the militants did not release the ambulance the four were travelling in.
Elders who brokered the deal were said to be negotiating for the release of the vehicle, critical for providing emergency services in North Eastern Kenya.
The process and progress of the negotiation process were, nevertheless, not divulged as the local elders were keen on protecting their identity.
Over the years, Kenya has uplifted its security forces to tackle the Al Shabaab insurgents.
Under former President Uhuru Kenyatta, the Kenya Defence Forces, purchased new artillery while the National Police Service was boosted with new weapons.
Kenya also unveiled a small arms factory to cut down on the cost of purchasing ammunition.
