Kenya has confirmed the successful repatriation of four Turkish nationals who were abducted on Friday, October 20, in Kileleshwa, Nairobi.
State Department of Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei stated that the repatriation was conducted at the request of the Turkish government.
Sing’Oei provided assurances that the rights of the individuals will be respected, affirming, “The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has received assurances from Turkish authorities that the four will be treated with dignity in accordance with both national and international law.”
He emphasized Kenya’s commitment to maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of the repatriated individuals during an ongoing inter-agency review of the incident.
The abduction involved seven Turkish citizens, all teachers in Nairobi, with four of them later repatriated while three others were released shortly after the incident.
The abductors, described as armed men in balaclavas, blocked the victims’ vehicle around 7:30 AM, forcing them into their car and taking them to an undisclosed location. Necdet Seyitoglu, one of the victims, recounted the harrowing experience, stating they were held for eight hours and questioned about their purpose in Kenya.
This incident caused an outcry among various stakeholders fearing for the safety of the Turkish individuals, especially since some were registered asylum-seekers with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
They claimed to face threats to their lives if returned to Turkey. According to Sing’Oei, safeguarding the welfare of the over 780,000 refugees in Kenya remains a priority for the government.
Kenya’s swift action reflects its ongoing commitment to fostering robust international relations while upholding the rights of individuals within its borders.
