The Untold Stories of Kenyan Hostages in Libya; Captors Demand Millions

The youth of Northern Kenya have become ensnared in a sinister trap orchestrated by ruthless criminal networks operating in Libya.

These nefarious operations have been facilitated by the notorious warlord Magafe, who has built a thriving enterprise around the exploitation of migrants. The ordeal began in March when residents of the small town of Modogashe, located in Garissa County, received harrowing videos depicting two of their sons, Shukri Siad Abdullahi and Idris Dubow Sheikhnoor, being subjected to brutal torture at the hands of their captors in Libya. Compelled by these disturbing visuals, the community leaders convened an emergency meeting and unanimously decided to raise the exorbitant ransom demanded for the release of the young men.

Through a collective effort, involving contributions from families, politicians, local NGOs, and generous supporters, the community managed to gather the required sum of Sh5 million. The funds were then transferred via the informal Hawala system to an agent in Magafe, Libya. While the two captives were eventually freed, their fate remains shrouded in uncertainty as they never returned home, leaving their loved ones grappling with agonizing questions. Tragically, this ordeal is not an isolated incident. Just a short time later, two more local youths fell victim to abduction while en route to the Middle East, further amplifying the community’s distress and highlighting the pervasive nature of this crisis.

During the recent Madaraka Day celebrations, resident Hussein made an impassioned appeal to the leaders urging them to unite and take action to secure the release of the captive youths. He lamented the alarming pattern, with two cases reported in March and another two in June alone. The counties of Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera have all been impacted by this troubling issue of youth trafficking to Libya, where they face unimaginable hardships and human rights abuses. Human rights activist Zimba Hasheem has shed light on the complex transnational networks behind this crisis, highlighting the intricate web of criminal organizations facilitating these treacherous journeys.

The youth from these regions often cross the borders of Ethiopia and Sudan before arriving in Libya. Some opt for the Ethiopia route, while others may take the Nairobi-Busia-Uganda path, ultimately reaching Libya via the Sudan route. These hazardous journeys are frequently facilitated by criminal organizations such as the Magafe network which capitalizes on the desperation and vulnerability of these young individuals, promising them employment or safe passage to Europe, only to subject them to exploitation and abuse. Sheikh Siat Kedie, a religious leader in Garissa town, acknowledges the difficulty in identifying those involved in this illicit trade as victims and their relatives often remain reluctant to reveal how they ended up in the wrong hands as they fear further victimization.

Garissa County Commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo states that despite public concern, no formal complaints have been filed with the authorities. However, he affirms that investigations would be launched even without formal complaints. The Somali community’s perceived secrecy and the victims’ and relatives’ fear of reporting the matter to the police due to apprehensions of further victimization have compounded the challenges in addressing this crisis. Magafe’s operations in Libya have expanded significantly, with the use of vehicles, horses, and even camels to patrol the vast Libyan Desert in search of migrants. Concerning reports also indicate a recruitment drive in northern Kenya, where job opportunities in Israel and Russia are being used as a front to lure youths into joining militant groups.

One family in Mandera has been working tirelessly since last December to gather funds to secure the release of their relative, Ismail Mohamed, also known as Oscar Maley, from Magafe’s clutches. Ismail arrived in Libya on December 15, 2023, and his captors contacted the family the next day, demanding a ransom of 1.5 million Kenyan shillings. Despite managing to send 800,000 shillings, Ismail remains in captivity, with his sister, Mariam Abdullahi Hussein, expressing grave concerns for his life as recent videos depict him in a severely malnourished state.