A family in Kiandege village, Nyandarua County, is appealing for assistance after their son, who was allegedly abducted by the Al Shabaab militant group in Somalia, resurfaced in a viral video two years after his disappearance.

Ambrose Kimiti, a native of Leshau Pondo Ward, appeared in the video last week, pleading with the Kenyan government to intervene and secure his release.

Kimiti was employed by Iqarus, a British-based security and medical support company, and was contracted by the United Nations to work in Somalia.

According to his family, Kimiti went missing on January 10, 2024, while on a UN-related mission involving medical evaluation and rescue support in the Galgaduud region of central Somalia, an area known for Al Shabaab activity.

Reports indicate that the helicopter he was travelling in suffered mechanical failure and was forced to crash-land. Shortly after the incident, Kimiti and other crew members and passengers were allegedly taken hostage by the militant group.

His brother, Martin Mwangi, said the family had unsuccessfully sought help from various government offices since his disappearance.

“We did not know where our brother had been for the last two years until recently, when the video resurfaced. We urge the government to help rescue him,” Mwangi said.

He also called on the United Nations to take action, noting that Kimiti was working under a UN contract at the time of the incident.

“They are the employers, yet we have not seen any response from them. We also call upon Kenyans to pray for this rescue,” Mwangi added.

The family says they remain hopeful that renewed public attention will prompt swift intervention to secure Kimiti’s safe return.