A Kenyan national who was abducted in Ethiopia last week has been safely released and flown back home after his employer paid a ransom of Ksh3 million.
According to a statement from Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi’s office, Samuel Njagi Mbugua, a plant manager at a glass packing factory in Debre Benha, Amhara region about 120 kilometres from Addis Ababa was kidnapped on October 28, 2025.
The Kenyan Embassy in Ethiopia promptly reported the incident to Ethiopian authorities, prompting joint efforts involving the embassy, Mbugua’s family, his employer, and the Ethiopian government. After several days of tense negotiations, his captors agreed to release him following payment of 3 million Ethiopian Birr (approximately Ksh3 million) by his employer.
“Today, November 4th, Mr. Mbugua was released following concerted efforts of the Ethiopian Government, the Kenyan Embassy, the company, and the family after difficult negotiations,” read part of a statement from the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary.
Following his release, Mbugua was immediately flown back to Kenya aboard a 11:35 p.m. flight from Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa. He arrived safely at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, where he was reunited with his family.
While the exact circumstances surrounding Mbugua’s abduction remain unclear, the government has assured continued collaboration with Ethiopian authorities to investigate the matter.
This is not the first time a Kenyan has faced abduction in Ethiopia. In 2021, a Kenyan businessman Simon Njoroge was reportedly kidnapped after a multi-million shilling deal went sour, with his captors demanding Ksh25 million for his release.
Mbugua’s ordeal has reignited calls for stronger protection of Kenyans working abroad, especially in regions with rising security concerns.
