PH
Kenyan authorities have detained African Union diplomat Omar Faruk Osman for non-settlement of a Sh3.6m debt incurred during a 2012 conference he held at Nairobi’s Laico Regency Hotel, reported Nairobi News.
Osman, a Somali national, was arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, while on his way to Morocco.
His arrest came following complaints by a local tour and travel firm Pinnacle, which organised the conference on his behalf.
“Immediately after the conference, Mr Osman promised to pay the sums through numerous meetings and emails,” Pinnacle was quoted as saying in its petition.
A Business Daily report said that the envoy had previously been arrested in Ethiopia for similar claims.
“Mr Osman has a reputation of obtaining goods and services in foreign countries and leaving without paying for them. I am aware that Mr Osman was arrested and jailed in Ethiopia over the same claims that Pinnacle is making,” a Pinnacle director was quoted as saying.
Judge Charles Kariuki issued a warrant for his arrest after Pinnacle went to court claiming that Mr Osman, who has been on the run since 2012, has occasionally sneaked in and out of Kenya without settling the debt.
Osman was arraigned in court on Monday and released after depositing Sh1.8m.
