(JUBA/NAIROBI) – The reported abduction of a South Sudanese businessman in Nairobi has intensified concerns among rights groups, activists and members of the business community over legal protections for South Sudanese nationals living and working in Kenya.
The wife of Athorbey Al Gaddhaffy Dit Guet, widely known as Gaddafi, said armed men allegedly seized her husband in Nairobi earlier this week, raising fears that he could be forcibly returned to South Sudan.
Speaking to media, she said she last spoke to him on Monday at about 10:19 p.m. before becoming concerned when he failed to return home later that night.
She said repeated attempts to contact him were unsuccessful after his phones were switched off. Efforts to trace his mobile phone reportedly showed its final location near a hospital on Kiambu Road in Nairobi.
According to the family, an Uber driver later filed a report at Nairobi’s Kilimani Police Station claiming that the businessman had been abducted at gunpoint.
The report alleged that Athorbey had left Lucky 8 Casino near Yaya Centre and entered a vehicle ordered by casino staff before another vehicle carrying masked armed men intercepted the car.
His wife said the men were described as wearing uniforms resembling those used by special forces personnel before Athorbey was reportedly forced into another vehicle.
Kenyan police and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations had not publicly commented on the allegations at the time of publication, although the family said investigators had informed them that inquiries were ongoing.
Athorbey’s wife described him as a businessman involved in supplying stationery to government institutions in South Sudan. She said she was not aware of any formal complaints previously filed over threats to his safety but acknowledged that he had spoken about disagreements involving business associates.
She said the family’s immediate concern was his safety and safe return home.
The case has attracted wider attention because of Athorbey’s alleged links to claims involving illicit financial flows connected to South Sudan.
Kenyan activist and presidential aspirant Boniface Mwangi said Athorbey had approached him earlier this year claiming that his life was in danger because of sensitive information linked to financial activities in South Sudan.
Mwangi alleged that Athorbey had spoken to journalists and police officers regarding claims involving money transfers connected to a company known as CapitalPay.
He said that if Athorbey had committed any offence, legal action should follow recognised court procedures rather than abduction or unlawful detention.
Mwangi also referred to unverified reports suggesting Athorbey may have been held at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or moved through Wilson Airport as part of an attempt to transfer him to South Sudan.
The incident has renewed discussion about previous cases involving South Sudanese activists, opposition figures and critics who allegedly disappeared or were deported from Kenya under disputed circumstances over the past decade.
Human rights organisations and United Nations investigators have previously documented cases involving figures such as James Gatdet Dak, Dong Samuel Luak, Aggrey Idri, Marko Lokidor and Morris Mabior Awikjok Bak.
United Nations investigators later reported that credible information suggested Dong Samuel Luak and Aggrey Idri were executed after being deported from Kenya to South Sudan in 2017.
Both Kenyan and South Sudanese authorities have previously denied accusations of unlawful cooperation in such cases.
The Athorbey case has also brought renewed attention to Crawford Capital and its CapitalPay digital payment platform, which operates several government linked electronic revenue collection and public service systems in South Sudan.
CapitalPay has been involved in systems used for trade licensing, visa processing and revenue collection. The company has faced scrutiny from watchdog organisations and United Nations investigators regarding its contracts and revenue sharing arrangements with government institutions.
Crawford Capital and South Sudanese authorities have defended the company, saying its systems support modernisation of public services and improve government revenue collection.
According to United Nations reports and media investigations, the company was founded by Garang Mayom Kuoc Malek and Ruey Majok Guandong. Reports have also linked Kenyan businessman Jeremy Gisemba to the company’s ownership structure.
The company has drawn public attention because of reported links to relatives of senior South Sudanese political figures, although neither the government nor the company has publicly confirmed such ownership claims.
Analysts say the growing controversy could affect perceptions of governance, transparency and investor confidence at a time when South Sudan is attempting to modernise revenue systems and attract greater private sector participation.
Civil society activist Edmond Yakani condemned the reported abduction and urged Kenyan authorities to ensure the safety of South Sudanese nationals living in the country.
He said Kenya had a responsibility to guarantee protection for South Sudanese residents and activists operating within its borders.
As of publication, South Sudanese authorities had not issued an official statement regarding Athorbey’s reported disappearance or any possible legal proceedings connected to the case.