Turkish Asylum Seekers Abducted in Nairobi: Law Society of Kenya Calls for Urgent Investigation
In a shocking incident that raises serious concerns about human rights in Kenya, seven Turkish asylum seekers were reportedly abducted in Nairobi by masked gunmen on the morning of October 20. The individuals identified as Mustafa Genç, Abdullah Genç, Hüseyin Yeşilsu, Necdet Seyitoğlu, Öztürk Uzun, Alparslan Taşçı, and Saadet Taşçı were targeted, leading to a swift condemnation from the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).
As of now, three of the abductees have been released, while four remain unaccounted for. In a statement, LSK President Faith Odhiambo emphasized the gravity of the situation, calling it a “heinous violation of human rights.” She urged for immediate investigations to identify the perpetrators and locate the missing individuals.
The Law Society highlighted Kenya’s obligations under international law to protect the rights of all residents, regardless of their nationality. They pointed out that the Mutual Legal Assistance Act prohibits Kenya from providing legal assistance to foreign operatives involved in political matters, underscoring that the actions taken against the Turkish asylum seekers are illegal and inconsistent with Kenya’s commitment to uphold the rule of law.
Odhiambo stressed that such acts are a blatant affront to Kenya’s sovereignty and constitutional values. The LSK has called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Inspector General of the National Police Service (IG NPS) to act swiftly and decisively to resolve the matter.
The incident has raised alarm among human rights advocates and the international community, with many calling for immediate action to ensure the safety of the remaining asylum seekers and to uphold Kenya’s legal and moral obligations.