A Kenyan national who was kidnapped in Ethiopia last week has safely returned home after his employer paid a Ksh2.5 million ransom to secure his release.
According to Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, the victim, identified as Samuel Njagi Mbugua, was released on Monday, November 4, following days of intense negotiations involving his family, employer, and both the Kenyan and Ethiopian authorities.
Mbugua, who worked as a plant manager at a glass manufacturing company in Debre Benha, Amhara Region — about 120 kilometers from Addis Ababa — was abducted from his workplace on October 28.
“Today, November 4, Mr. Mbugua was released after concerted efforts by the Ethiopian government, the Kenyan Embassy in Addis Ababa, his employer, and his family during difficult negotiations,” the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary (OPCS) stated.
The kidnappers initially demanded a Ksh3 million ransom, but it is reported that the employer settled at around Ksh2.5 million (3 million Ethiopian Birr) before Mbugua’s safe release.
Following his release, the Kenyan Embassy in Ethiopia coordinated his immediate repatriation, with Mbugua boarding an 11:35 p.m. flight from Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa to Nairobi.
“We are deeply relieved to confirm that Mr. Mbugua has been safely reunited with his family after arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA),” Mudavadi’s office announced.
While the circumstances surrounding his abduction remain unclear, officials have assured that investigations are ongoing in collaboration with Ethiopian authorities.
This is not the first such incident involving a Kenyan in Ethiopia. In a similar case four years ago, businessman Simon Njoroge was abducted by his Ethiopian associate after a multi-million shilling business deal collapsed, with his captors demanding Ksh25 million for his freedom.