Kenyan abducted in Ethiopia released after Ksh.3M ransom paid

Kenyan national Samuel Njagi Mbugua, who was abducted in Ethiopia on October 28, 2025, has been released after a ransom worth Ksh.3 million was paid to the captors. 

According to Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi's office, Mbugua’s employer paid the ransom to secure his release after days of negotiations involving the Ethiopian authorities, the Kenyan Embassy in Addis Ababa and his family. 

The victim had been working as a plant manager for a glass packing plant in Debre Benha, in Amhara, a town 120 kilometres from Addis Ababa.

Following his abduction, the Kenyan Embassy in Ethiopia reported the matter to the Ethiopian authorities, and negotiations for his release began.

"We are deeply relieved to announce that Mr. Samuel Njagi Mbugua, who was abducted on Tuesday, October 28th, 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 PCS office posted on X. 

"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."

During an engagement with Kenyans in Doha, Qatar, President William Ruto also confirmed that the ministry and diplomatic staff had located Mbugua in Ethiopia and facilitated his return. 

"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,” he stated. 

According to Mudavadi's office, Mbugua arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) during the early hours of Wednesday, November 5, where he was received by family and government officials. 

The government reaffirmed that the safety and welfare of Kenyans working abroad remains a top diplomatic priority. 

"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," Mudavadi’s office added.