A week-long ordeal for Kenyan national Samuel Njagi Mbugua ended early Wednesday when he returned home safely after being released by his abductors in Ethiopia. Officials say his freedom came after a ransom of Sh3 million was reportedly paid.

The Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary (OPCS) confirmed Mbugua’s return, saying he was reunited with his family shortly after landing at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi at 1:40 a.m.

“We are deeply relieved to announce that Samuel Njagi Mbugua has been safely released and reunited with his family,” the office said in a statement posted on X.

Abducted in Ethiopia’s Amhara Region

Mbugua, an employee of a private firm in Ethiopia, was abducted on October 28 at his workplace in Debre Berhan, a town roughly 120 kilometres northeast of Addis Ababa. The details of his capture remain unclear, and both the Ethiopian authorities and the Kenyan Embassy in Addis Ababa are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

According to Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Mbugua’s release followed “days of difficult negotiations and close cooperation” between the Ethiopian government, the Kenyan embassy, his employer, and his family.

The ministry commended the efforts of the Ethiopian security agencies and diplomatic teams on both sides, noting that the case tested regional coordination in protecting foreign workers.

Ruto Confirms Ransom Payment

Speaking in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday — where he addressed members of the Kenyan diaspora during the United Nations Social Development Summit — President William Ruto confirmed that a ransom had been demanded and paid.

“We have been working with the government in Ethiopia, and our ambassador has really gone out of his way,” President Ruto said.
“Finally, we have managed to locate Njagi, and there was a demand for ransom by the abductors of Sh3 million. The company that Njagi was working for has paid that amount.”

He added that Njagi had been taken to the Kenyan Embassy in Addis Ababa for medical checks before being flown back to Nairobi.

Family’s Relief After Days of Fear

Mbugua’s return ended an anxious wait for his family, who had spent over a week in uncertainty. Relatives gathered at JKIA in the early hours of Wednesday to welcome him home, embracing him in emotional scenes captured by local media.

Government officials have not disclosed further details about the kidnappers or whether arrests have been made. The motive behind the abduction also remains under investigation, though sources suggest it may have been financially driven.

The OPCS said the government is reviewing safety protocols for Kenyans working abroad, particularly in high-risk areas.

Diplomatic Efforts Under Scrutiny

While the successful rescue was widely praised, the incident has renewed discussion about the safety of Kenyan professionals in volatile regions of Ethiopia, where sporadic unrest has disrupted several areas.

Officials from both governments have pledged closer cooperation to ensure that foreign workers — especially those in the Amhara and Oromia regions — are better protected.

For now, Mbugua is home and safe — a rare happy ending in a story that began with fear and uncertainty.