Somali community calls for probe into kidnappings in Kenya

MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) – Somali community leaders in the costal region of Kenya urged Directorate Criminal Investigations (DCI) to investigate alleged and killings of Somali girls in both Nairobi and Mombasa countries.

At a press conference at the Sakina Hall in Mombasa County, the leaders said it has gone out of hand.

“We are giving the DCI 24 hours to launch an investigation into our girls’ kidnappings. We need immediate response to such situations as they seem to be following a certain pattern of victimisation across the country,” said Shartly Hassan, one of the leaders.

He added that so far, two girls have already been buried in Mombasa County, while five others are missing in Nairobi County.

“Our children have started to fear going to school. We do not know how to assure them of their safety,” he said.

The remarks by the leaders comes days after at least five people including four women were reportedly went missing in Nairobi’s Somali dominated estate, Eastleigh.

Among those abducted was a 23-year-old woman, identified as Hafsa Mohammed Lukman who allegedly kidnapped by unknown people from Kamukunji constituency in Nairobi.

Ms Lukman’s kidnappers sent a 35 seconds video featuring a woman believed to be Lukman who was blindfolded with both her hands and legs tied.

“I have been kidnapped, and they’re demanding ransom. Please, send it,” Lukman stated- her voice barely heard in the video due to the wounds and scars on her mouth.

Just as the news of Hafsa was doing round across the social media platforms, a new victim was reported missing.

Hafsa Abdulwahab was last seen at her watermelon store in Kayole. Family members said they reported the matter at the local Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

Cases of kidnapping have become rampant in the recent past with abductors going to extra lengths to ensure their hatched scheme comes to fruition.

These cases of the missing persons come days after Najma Abdullahi Maalim, 19, who went missing on June 9 was found dead at the Dongo Kundu Bypass Highway, Mombasa.