Ambrose Kimiti, the Kenyan held by Al-Shabaab, is seen is this screengrab photo from the video released by the militants. Photo/Newsflash
By Newsflash Reporter
A Kenyan national held by the Al-Shabaab militant group in Somalia, has made a direct and emotional appeal to President William Ruto and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to intervene and secure his release after more than a year and a half in captivity.
The Kenyan, identified as Ambrose Kimiti, appeared in an undated video circulated on social media and posted by Somalia-based outlet Baidoa Online on Saturday, December 22, 2025.
In the video, Kimiti says he is being held alongside other members of his medical evacuation team and pleads with global and Kenyan authorities to take urgent action.
Kimiti was serving as a medic with an aero-medical evacuation team supporting the United Nations Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) when he was captured in January 2024. Before his deployment to Somalia, he had also worked with the United Nations in Mali as part of its medical response team.
Captured during medical mission
According to details contained in the video, Kimiti and his colleagues were taken hostage after the UN helicopter they were travelling in made an emergency landing due to a technical malfunction. The aircraft reportedly went down near Xiindheere District in Somalia’s Galgaduud region—an area under the control of Al-Shabaab militants.
“I speak to you today as a captive held by Al-Shabaab together with my medical evacuation team members for more than one and a half years. Our helicopter crashed on 10th January 2024 inside Al-Shabaab territory during a medical evacuation mission,” Kimiti said in the video.
Newsflash has since gathered that the medic hails from the Kiandege area, Ndaragwa, Nyandarua County, Central Kenya.
Ambrose Kimiti as seen in a screengrab of a video released by Al-Shabaab. Photo/Newsflash
Read more: Al-Shabaab put tough demands on abducted chiefs
He explained that following the crash, the team attempted to reach out for help but received none, leaving them vulnerable to capture.
“After our helicopter crashed, we communicated with the United Nations, but unfortunately, no rescue team showed up to support us. After that, no one showed up to negotiate on our behalf and demand our release. We felt abandoned,” he said.
The video, disseminated through platforms associated with Al-Shabaab, shows Kimiti speaking calmly but firmly as he recounts the circumstances of his captivity and the toll it has taken on him and his colleagues.
Appeal to UN and Ruto
In his message, Kimiti strongly criticises the United Nations, accusing it of failing in its duty of care to personnel and contractors deployed in dangerous environments.
“We feel that the UN has failed us completely and has done nothing to secure our release or ease our suffering. I believed that we were serving for a good cause but the UN let us down,” he said.
Addressing the UN Secretary-General directly, Kimiti underscored the organisation’s responsibility toward its workers.
“To UN Secretary-General, Mr Antonio Guterres, we were sent here by the UN to provide medical assistance to your humanitarian support. The UN has a duty to secure the release of its contractors taken captive in the course of their work,” he said.
Read more: Somali intelligence confirms killing of three Al-Shabaab leaders
He went on to urge Guterres to act decisively to end their ordeal.
“I urge you, Mr Secretary General, to secure our release as soon as possible and intervene on our behalf,” Kimiti added.
Kimiti also appealed to President William Ruto, asking the Kenyan leader to use diplomatic and political channels to push for negotiations.
“I also send this urgent appeal to my President, Dr William Samoei Ruto; please use your influence to negotiate for our release. Your efforts will make a big difference to our case,” he said.
Call for Kenyan public support
Beyond appealing to political leaders, Kimiti called on Kenyans at home to speak out and demand action, stressing that public pressure could help accelerate efforts to free him and his fellow captives.
“To the people of Kenya, I need your support today more than ever. I came here to provide medical assistance to the UN Humanitarian Support, do not forget me. Speak up for us. Your voices really matter and will help us get out of here soon. Thank you,” he said.
Read more: US on Ruto’s neck over RSF link
The release of the video has renewed attention on the risks faced by humanitarian and medical personnel working in conflict zones, particularly in Somalia, where Al-Shabaab continues to target both local and international actors.
By the time of publishing this report, neither the United Nations nor the Kenyan government had issued an official public response to the video. Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had also not responded to Newsflash’s enquiries regarding Kimiti’s status or any ongoing efforts to secure his release.
Al-Shabaab has previously used hostage videos to exert pressure on governments and international organisations, often seeking political concessions or ransoms. It remains unclear what demands, if any, the group has made in relation to Kimiti and the other captives.
About the Author
