Turkish refugees sent back home, says Kenya

In Kenya, four Turkish refugees were repatriated back to Turkey following a request from the Turkish government. This development came on the heels of reports indicating that multiple Turkish nationals were abducted in Nairobi on a Friday. The Kenyan foreign ministry cited the strong historical ties and strategic relations with Turkey as a basis for complying with the repatriation request, assuring that the refugees would be treated with dignity upon their return. Turkish authorities have not yet provided specific comments regarding the repatriation. The refugees belong to Hizmet, an organization labeled as terrorist by Turkey due to its association with the 2016 coup attempt. Kenya's commitment to the protection of refugee rights was emphasized, drawing attention to the UN's 1951 Refugee Convention, which prohibits returning individuals to countries where they face serious threats. Following reports of the abduction, a Kenyan law firm expressed concern over the situation, and local police confirmed an investigation was underway into the kidnapping incidents that involved armed men disrupting civilian life in the city. Moreover, a British national noted that he and other Turkish citizens had also been victims of similar abductions. This case further complicates Kenya's diplomatic relations, balancing its obligations to refugees and the influence of Turkey, especially in the context of increasing ties between Turkey and multiple African nations over the past two decades.