Chained for a Decade: Diabetic Kenyan Loses Track of Time in Somali Captivity

The renowned actress Wanjiku Mburu, famed for her role as Mama Baha in the popular Citizen TV show Machachari, has once again brought attention to a deeply personal tragedy.

In a heartfelt video shared on social media, Mburu has made an impassioned plea for assistance in repatriating her brother George and cousin Masha who have endured a decade of captivity in Somalia. The distressing situation began in January 2014 when George and Masha were abducted in Mogadishu. According to George's account, the suspected Al Shabaab militants targeted him in retaliation for Kenya's military intervention in Somalia, which aimed to combat insurgency and restore peace. The captors, branding George a prisoner of war, demanded that his family advocate for the withdrawal of Kenyan troops.

For years, the family grappled with uncertainty and grief, their only direct contact coming in March 2014 when George managed to place a call home. The ensuing decade was marked by silence, leaving the family to rely on fragmented information from various sources. A breakthrough occurred on October 7, 2024, when Wanjiku received an unexpected call from a Somali number. Initially hesitant, she answered to find her brother on the line. The conversation was a bittersweet mixture of joy and sorrow, as George described his hellish confinement.

"I know nothing but four walls, handcuffs on my hands, and chains on my feet."

George's health has reportedly deteriorated during his prolonged detention, with his diabetes adding to the complexity of his situation. He urged for consistent discussion about his and Masha's plight and emphasised their status as Kenyan citizens deserving of governmental attention and action. In response to this crisis, Wanjiku Mburu has directly appealed to President William Ruto for intervention. Her public appeal has garnered support from fellow artists and citizens who are calling for unity in raising awareness about the situation.

The psychological impact of this ordeal on Wanjiku and her family has been profound. Wanjiku also mentions that George has since lost track of time, only learning the current year after gaining access to a mobile phone. This recent appeal is not Mburu's first attempt to draw attention to her family's plight. In January 2020, she had vowed to lead a march to then-President Uhuru Kenyatta's office, demanding action. Before that, she had expressed frustration in a viral video, revealing that the family had been denied a meeting with the president, despite officials' assurances that they would resolve the matter.