In a distressing development from Nairobi, Kenya, a British national and several Turkish asylum seekers were abducted by masked assailants last Friday. This incident has intensified concerns over the safety of foreign nationals in Kenya, particularly those from Turkey, amid suspicions of international intelligence involvement.
Necdet Seyitoğlu, a British national who previously lived in the UK for 18 years before moving to Kenya two years ago, recounted his ordeal to the BBC. Seyitoğlu explained that he and his friend were forcibly taken by four armed men after a white SUV blocked their car as they were leaving for work. Despite being blindfolded and handcuffed, Seyitoğlu was released after eight hours when he proved his British citizenship by showing a copy of his passport on his phone.
The UK Foreign Office confirmed they are providing consular support to Seyitoğlu and his family. Meanwhile, Kenyan police are investigating the incident, initially tipped off by a motorcycle driver who witnessed the abduction.
Further complicating the matter, Seyitoğlu disclosed that six other Turkish citizens he knew were also abducted in similar circumstances across Nairobi. These individuals, represented by the local law firm Mukele & Kakai, are all registered refugees. The firm issued a statement warning airlines against facilitating their forcible return to Turkey, where they face political persecution.
This sentiment was echoed by Amnesty International, whose Kenya spokesman expressed deep concern over the safety of Turkish asylum seekers abducted on Kenyan soil. The families of the abducted, alongside various rights groups, suspect the involvement of Turkish intelligence, which has previously been implicated in international abductions of Turkish nationals.
The UN’s refugee agency, UNHCR, acknowledged awareness of the incident and promised further information as it becomes available. The international community remains vigilant, as this event not only highlights the precarious position of political refugees in Kenya but also raises serious questions about the reach of foreign intelligence operations targeting dissidents abroad.
