Sunday September 19, 2021
Nairobi (HOL) - A Somali-Kenyan scholar and political analyst abducted a little over a week ago has been released by his captors, according to sources close to his family.
Prof. Abdiwahab Abdisamad's family said he was abducted on September 8 by four men who handcuffed him along Turbman road in Nairobi's Central Business District at about 10 am local time and forced him into a double cabin pick-up vehicle.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) director George Kinoti said investigations were underway as several lawmakers threatened legal action against the top brass of Kenya's security sector.
Kenyan police have made any arrests in relation to Abdisamad's abduction.
It is still unclear who abducted Abdisamad or where he was being held incommunicado for over a week.
Farah Maalim, the former Deputy Speaker of Kenya's parliament and current Lagdera MP, also confirmed his release on Twitter and thanked the public for their support. Maalim was one of the most vocal politicians who campaigned for Abdisamad's release.
"Our Brother Dr. Abdiwahab Abdisamad has been released. I wish to thank all the defenders of freedom in our country & abroad who stood by our valued Scholar/Warrior for Regional Peace & Stability. We must defend with our last drop of blood our freedom of speech/association."
Despite his reappearance, the circumstances surrounding the abduction of the outspoken scholar remain unclear, as Abdisamad has yet to make a public statement.
In recent months, there has been growing concern among the Somali community in Kenya and human rights defenders about forced disappearances.