Probe as prominent Eastleigh businessman allegedly abducted in Nairobi

A family in Nairobi’s Eastleigh estate is worried about their missing father, Abdi Aidid Ali, who was allegedly abducted five days ago by armed men in Shauri Moyo estate.

His distraught son, Jamal Abdi, says the family has known no peace since the abduction happened.

“While at the junction of Shauri Moyo and Yusuf Haji Avenue, he was ambushed by two SUV Prados, one white and one black, as we were told by witnesses. They were armed and they sped away with him. They were around eight men, armed and with jungle green uniforms,” said Jamal.

At the time of his abduction, Abdi Aidid was driving to the mosque before he was intercepted by two vehicles whose occupants were armed men. The men bundled him into one of the motor vehicles and disappeared with him, leaving his car on the road.

Moments later, his mobile phone was switched off, leaving the family in agony and unaware of what could have happened to their father.

“We have been moving from one office to the other, security office to the other, talking to security agencies and we are not getting any response. We are appealing for those dealing with investigations to help know what is going on. We are not suspecting anyone but if the government took him, we want them to tell us where Mzee is,” Jamal explained.

Abdi Aidid is the owner of ATIS Hotel and another branch in Parklands. The family says he is a well-known philanthropist who has supported several community initiatives in Eastleigh, including the construction of the California Police Station.

His son says that if the government wanted his father, they could have summoned him. The family says they are unsure whether the 52-year-old is in the hands of government agents or criminals.

“He is a developer and someone who has helped employ so many people, and he is well known. If the police wanted him, they would have summoned him and we would readily be available rather than the way he was forcefully taken,” Jamal noted.

In just one week, two renowned businessmen in Eastleigh have allegedly been abducted by armed men. The alleged abduction of Abdi Aidid Ali was reported at Shauri Moyo Police Station, with police saying investigations are ongoing.