Seven Turkish nationals, including women and children have been allegedly abducted in a coordinated operation across Nairobi, raising concerns over a potential diplomatic crisis.
The individuals, reportedly asylum-seekers linked to the Gülen movement, were taken from different locations on Friday, October 18, amid fears of Turkish government involvement.
CCTV footage reviewed by Kenyans.co.ke shows two suspicious vehicles circling the vicinity of some victims shortly before the abductions occurred. Some other victims who were initially abducted were released while the whereabouts of the others remain unknown.
The Turkish nationals, registered as asylum-seekers with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), had reportedly been under protection for two years. They claimed they faced persecution in Turkey due to their association with the faith-based Gülen movement, which has been targeted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's administration since a failed 2016 coup.
Concerns have been raised that the abductions could be linked to intelligence services, which has a history of pursuing Gülen movement supporters abroad.
Similar operations have been carried out in other countries, often resulting in the rendition of critics and dissidents back to Turkey without formal extradition requests.
International human rights organisations and civil society groups are now demanding an immediate response from Kenyan authorities. The alleged abduction of individuals under UN protection is seen as a significant breach of international protocols and could put Kenya's diplomatic standing at risk. Additionally, the United Nations is under pressure to address how such an incident could occur under its watch.
The Gülen movement, which Turkey's government accuses of orchestrating the 2016 coup attempt, has been a focal point of President Erdoğan’s crackdown on dissent. Those associated with the movement have been labelled as members of the "Fetullah Gülen Terrorist Organisation" (FETO), a term used to delegitimise and target the group’s followers. The movement's leader, Fetullah Gülen, resides in self-imposed exile in the United States.
The Nairobi incident is part of a broader pattern of disappearances in Kenya, where the government has been criticised for failing to address a surge in abductions.
Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki recently informed Parliament that 132 people have been reported missing since protests erupted in June over contentious tax hikes. The unrest resulted in at least 50 deaths, according to the Kenya Human Rights Commission.
The abduction of the seven Turkish nationals adds a new layer of complexity to Kenya's security situation, which has already drawn scrutiny due to rising cases of enforced disappearances. The alleged involvement of foreign intelligence agencies in such activities could further undermine public trust and strain Kenya's relations with the international community.
As the search continues for the remaining victims, pressure is mounting on both Kenya and Turkey to provide clarity on the fate of the abducted individuals. The government has yet to issue any statements regarding the abductions.
