Ethiopian businessman abducted in Kenyan capital

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) – The wife of an Ethiopian businessman of Tigrayan descent pleaded Monday for his safe return after he was allegedly kidnapped in daylight in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi.

In a video circulated on social media platforms, Samson Teklemichael, who exports gas cylinders to Ethiopia, can be seen being removed from his vehicle while onlookers recorded a scuffle with those who are believed to be security officers.

Teklemichael was abducted on a busy Nairobi highway on Nov. 19 from his Bentley. He could be heard shouting to onlookers to keep recording.

“Take videos please, take videos please,” he said.

His wife, Milen Mezgebo said she received a telephone call from her husband but the phone went dead.

“He did call me telling me that he was being abducted by unknown people. His phone went off or was taken away from him, “Mazgebo told reporters. “Police have said they are investigating the abduction but so far they have no leads, I have reported the matter to the police and the Ethiopian Embassy.”

In the videos, a Kenyan traffic police officer with a state-issued police motorbike can be seen holding the door to Teklemichael’s car as two men dragged him to a vehicle that later sped off after he was inside.

The reason for his abduction is yet to be established said Mezgebo, noting that she has reported the matter to the Kilimani police station in Nairobi, and has been assured that detectives have been put on the case to investigate.

Kilimani Police commander Andrew Muturi confirmed police are aware of the abduction and detectives from the directorate of criminal investigations from the station have launched investigations.