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A British national and several Turkish citizens were allegedly abducted in Nairobi on Friday, according to statements made to the press. The abductions, which took place in broad daylight, have raised concerns about the safety of foreign nationals in Kenya, especially those with political ties to their home countries.
The British national, identified as Necdet Seyitoğlu, a 49-year-old education consultant, had lived in the UK for 18 years before relocating to Kenya two years ago. He shared his harrowing ordeal, recounting how he and his Turkish companion were abducted by masked men as they left home early in the morning. According to Seyitoğlu, their vehicle was intercepted by a white SUV just as they were on their way to work. The men, armed and masked, quickly blindfolded and handcuffed the pair, offering no explanation for the abduction.
Seyitoğlu told the press that he repeatedly asked for identification or clarification about where they were being taken, but his questions were met with silence. “It was the worst experience of my life,” he said, adding that the entire ordeal left him shaken. His abductors, who spoke Swahili, held him and his friend at an unknown location for eight hours. However, after he managed to convince them of his British citizenship by showing them a copy of his passport on his phone, the captors received a call and released him.
Seyitoğlu described how, after photographing his passport, the men dropped him off at an unfamiliar location and gave him 1,000 shillings (approximately $7.50) for transport home. However, they refused to return his phone and laptop. During his captivity, his wife reported him missing to the British High Commission. Upon his release, Seyitoğlu learned that six other Turkish citizens he knew had also been abducted under similar circumstances from different parts of Nairobi.
The UK Foreign Office confirmed the incident, stating that they were “providing consular support to a British man and his family following an incident in Kenya.” Meanwhile, Kenyan authorities have launched an investigation. According to Kenyan police spokeswoman Resila Onyango, a witness, who was a motorcycle driver, saw two vehicles block a silver saloon car from the front and rear. The witness claimed that eight armed men emerged from the vehicles, pulled out the occupants, and drove away. The police are treating the case as a kidnapping incident.
A local law firm, Mukele & Kakai Advocates, issued a statement on behalf of four men, claiming that their clients were registered refugees and victims of political persecution. They warned airlines against facilitating their deportation to Turkey, suggesting the abductions were politically motivated. The law firm’s letter, seen by the press, echoed concerns expressed by Amnesty International. A spokesman for Amnesty International Kenya voiced alarm over reports that the abductees, all asylum seekers from Türkiye, might have been targeted due to their political status back home.
The Turkish authorities have yet to comment on the matter. However, international organizations have taken note of the situation. The UN’s refugee agency, UNHCR, confirmed that it is aware of the reports and promised to provide more information as the investigation unfolds.
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