The family of a Kenyan doctor held captive by Somalia-based militant group Al Shabaab says they have not spoken to him since January 2024.
Speaking to the Nation , Christine Wamuyu, the sister of Ambrose Kimiti, said the last conversation with her brother took place on either January 8 or 9, 2024.
Kimiti, who was working as a trained clinical officer contracted by the United Nations (UN) through the British security and medical support company Iqarus, was on a humanitarian mission when his helicopter crash-landed in territory controlled by Al-Shabaab on January 10, 2024.
An undated video clip of Kimiti appealing for help has revived hopes for the family that he could be in detention.
“It is extremely emotional for us as a family. We have now gone months without speaking to him. The proof-of-life video circulating may be old, but it is still devastating to see,” Ms Wamuyu said.
Ambrose Kimiti, the Kenyan medic who was captured by Al Shaabab in Somalia on January 10, 2024.
Photo credit: Pool
The medical evacuation team Kimiti was part of had been carrying out evaluations and rescue support in Somalia’s Galgaduud region, a known hotspot for militant activity.
Following the crash, the crew and passengers were reportedly taken hostage by suspected Al-Shabaab militants.
Despite repeated attempts to contact the United Nations, Kimiti says in a video message that no official intervention has been made to secure his release.
“We believed we were on a humanitarian mission, but the United Nations has failed to secure our release,” he says in the video, urging UN Secretary-General António Guterres to intervene immediately. He also called on President William Ruto to use his influence to secure their freedom and appealed to the Kenyan public to support the efforts.
Kimiti hails from Leshau Pondo Ward in Nyandarua County. He left behind a wife and three children, having previously lost one child.
The UN-contracted company continues to provide a monthly stipend to support his family’s basic needs.
Ms Wamuyu said the family has reported his disappearance to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through their local MP and the Member of County Assembly, but progress has been minimal.
Ambrose Kimiti, the Kenyan medic, was captured by Al Shaabab in Somalia on January 10, 2024.
Pool
Photo credit: Pool
“We believe the government can do more by lobbying on our behalf and taking stronger action. He is not a politician; he is a health worker bound by humanitarian principles to save lives. We just want him back home. We do not even know what the terms are. Al-Shabaab has never reached out with any demands. The release of the video suggests they want something and the government must engage and negotiate,” Ms Wamuyu said in a phone call.
The family also called for attention to Emma Chesumo, another Kenyan health worker captured on the same day and believed to be held alongside Kimiti.
“It would be selfish to speak only about my brother. We urge Kenyans and the government to also follow up on her case,” Ms Wamuyu said.
She described the ordeal as taking a heavy toll on their 76-year-old mother, who suffers from high blood pressure.
“She has cried a lot. There is a constant feeling of doom. This is the first time we have seen proof that he is alive, and it has been very difficult,” she said.
Kimiti, now 44 years old, is a seasoned humanitarian who has previously worked in Mali and Afghanistan during periods of active conflict.
“He has always been driven by the desire to help people. Even before Somalia, we knew he would always go where he was needed. We never imagined this would happen,” Ms Wamuyu said.
Kimiti will turn 45 on March 21, 2026
“He has marked two birthdays in captivity. We are hopeful something will be done. We want him back home as soon as possible,” she added.
As of Monday, neither the United Nations nor the Kenyan government has issued an official response.
