The abductors of the Italian aid worker who was working in a local village of Malindi who is believed to have been abducted by Al Shabaab is still alive as reports indicated.
On Monday, Italy’s Rai TV showed pictures of plaited hair found in Dakatcha woodland forest.
A woman who last plaited Romano, the Milele Onlus corporate affairs officer in Chakama, identified the hair.
However, authorities fear that Romano may be sold to al Shabaab terrorists in Somalia.
Raffaella Scuderi, who works for La Republica newspaper, said Italian Vice President and Minister for Home Affairs Matteo Salviui addressed the nation on Sunday.
The VP said they were happy to have good news about Romano,Scuderi said.
The journalist who spoke in Malindi said the VP confirmed that Romano is alive, and investigators are tracking the kidnappers.
“We believe there is a deal going on since they intercepted the calls between one of the kidnappers and the wife,’’ she said.
However, the Italian government has not confirmed negotiations for ransom.
At first, it was reported in Italy that Romano had been abducted by al Shabaab militants, but the following day it was established that local herders had kidnapped the aid worker.
“Italian media had reported that al Shabaab were behind Romano’s abduction, owing to the large number of Italian soldiers in Somalia. Al Shabaab don’t like Italy and Kenya,” Scuderi.
In November, Romano signed a contract with Africa Milele Onus to work in Chakama until March next year.
Scuderi said after her abduction an editorial was written in one of the influential Italian newspapers questioning why she went to a remote village in Kenya yet there were people back home who needed help.
Scuderi said the editorial blamed Romano for going to a dangerous area in a remote village. This elicited a nationwide debate, with many criticising her and the NGO that supports health and education.
Police are combing Tana River and Lamu counties, where kidnappers are believed to be holding her.
On Friday, police named three suspects believed to be the gunmen who abducted Romano.
The suspects named are Ibrahim Adan Omar, Yususf Kuno Adan, and Said Adan Abdi.
A wife of one of the suspects together with his in-law were arrested in Tarassaa, Tana Delta and they are being grilled.
The woman who has a week-old child was arrested after police intercepted her talking to the husband.
Security personnel are using drones to track down the attackers.
The military, the police and KWS with special forces are in Boni forest pursuing the suspects.
Do you think the aid worker will be recovered safely?