Four Turkish nationals abducted in Nairobi repatriated: PS Sing’Oei

The government says the four Turkish nationals residing in Kenya as refugees who were abducted by armed men on Friday have been repatriated.

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei in a statement on Monday said the repatriation was done on Friday at the request of the Turkish government.

“Kenya acceded to this request on the strength of the robust historical and strategic relations anchored on bilateral instruments between our respective countries,” the PS said.

“The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has received assurances from the Turkish authorities that the four will be treated with dignity in keeping with national and international law.”

Sing’Oei further assured the international community of Kenya's “commitment to the protection and promotion of refugee rights as prescribed under national and international law.”

“The rights, welfare and well-being of the more than 780,000 refugees residing in the country will remain the government's singular priority.”

The four Turkish refugees were among seven people abducted on Friday morning in Nairobi’s Kileleshwa, Karen, and Upper Hill areas.

A British citizen, one of the three people released, told Citizen TV they were kidnapped at gunpoint by armed men who covered their faces with masks and claimed to be members of a security unit in Kenya.

According to their families, the operation may have been sanctioned by their country of origin.

They expressed fear their loved ones could be deported and jailed over their divergent political views back home.

Amnesty International Kenya and the International Commission of Jurists condemned the incident, demanding action from the Kenyan government.