A Kenyan employee who had been kidnapped in Ethiopia has been released and returned home safely after a ransom of Ksh.3 million was paid to his abductors, following days of intensive coordination between his employer, family, and government officials from both countries.
According to the Office of Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Samuel Njagi Mbugua was seized on October 28, 2025, while working as a plant manager at a glass packaging factory in Debre Benha, Amhara Region, roughly 120 kilometres from Addis Ababa.
His employer reportedly took responsibility for paying the ransom after lengthy talks with the kidnappers and government representatives.
In a statement shared on X, Mudavadi’s office confirmed that Mbugua’s ordeal had ended and he had been reunited with his family after landing at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi.
“We are deeply relieved to announce that Samuel Njagi Mbugua, who was abducted on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at his workplace in Ethiopia, has been safely released and reunited with his family after arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi,” the statement read.
The office explained that the Kenyan Embassy in Addis Ababa promptly reported the abduction to Ethiopian authorities and engaged them in talks that eventually led to Mbugua’s safe release.
“Mbugua’s release followed sustained and coordinated efforts by the Government of Ethiopia, the Kenyan Embassy in Addis Ababa, his company, and his family, after days of difficult negotiations and close cooperation between all parties,” the statement added.
Speaking during a meeting with Kenyans in Doha, President William Ruto confirmed that the government had been following the situation closely and had assisted in locating Mbugua.
“We have been working with the government in Ethiopia, and our Ambassador has really gone out of his way. Finally, we have managed to locate Njagi, and there was a demand for ransom by the abductors of Ksh.3 million. The company that Njagi was working for has paid that amount,” said the President.
Mbugua’s arrival at JKIA in the early morning of November 5 brought relief to his family, who had spent days anxiously waiting for his return.
The Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary reiterated Kenya’s dedication to protecting citizens employed abroad, saying the government would continue supporting Mbugua and his family as they recover from the traumatic incident.
“As a government, we remain committed to supporting Mr. Mbugua and his family as they recover from this traumatic ordeal, and to ensuring that the welfare and safety of Kenyans working abroad remain a top priority in our diplomatic engagements,” the statement noted.
