The family of a Kenya Defence Forces soldier, reportedly held captive by Al-Shabaab militants for nine years, is calling on the government to assist in the release of their relative.

Sergeant Abdullahi Issa Ibrahim was among the soldiers captured by militants during the deadly attack on the Kenyan-run AMISOM army base in El-Adde on January 15, 2016.

Nine years after he was presumed dead, the sergeant has reignited his family's hopes after a video emerged showing Abdullahi appealing for help from the government.

In the video, Sergeant Abdullahi describes his experiences since entering Somalia as part of the 9KR battalion, based at the Moi Barracks in Eldoret.