Thai Embassy denies Nairobi travel firm’s Sh2.4m claim Published 4 weeks ago on September 15, 2025By Ksnmedia Reporter
A dispute has erupted in Nairobi between Campfire Chronicles Travel Tours and Safaris, a Kilimani-based company, and the Royal Thai Embassy, over a controversial travel arrangement worth Sh2.4 million.
The travel firm’s director, Nasurdin Abdi Yussuf, alleges that embassy officials contracted his company in July to finance air tickets for eight delegates to attend a Bangkok trade forum. He claims reimbursement was promised within 14 days but never materialized.
Mr. Abdi says he received a call on July 24, 2025, from a woman he identified as Joan Wanjiku Ngari, who allegedly introduced herself as an embassy representative. According to him, she invited him for a meeting at the Thai Embassy, where discussions on a dealership arrangement took place from 2 pm to 5 pm.
The deal, he says, required his company to cover travel costs for eight participants attending an event organized by Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and the Department of International Trade Promotion.
Those listed for the Bangkok trip included Emily Jerop Silah, Josephine Ngina Masai, Martha Muthoni Migui, alongside Congolese nationals Bwira Ntabala Flavier, Banga Alain, and Peterson Luliba
However, in a statement issued last Friday, the Royal Thai Embassy in Nairobi flatly denied the arrangement.
“Ms. Ngari resigned on July 25, 2025, effective August 1. Any contract allegedly executed by her was done without our knowledge or authorization and does not create a binding obligation on the Embassy,” said Natthapong Senanarong, Minister Counsellor (Commercial).
The Embassy said the matter has been referred to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Diplomatic Police Unit for probe
Mr. Abdi maintains that the agreement was genuine. He said he even received a confirmation email from one of the alleged participants. He proceeded to purchase air tickets on July 25 using company funds, despite challenges in processing Thai-language details.
When the refund failed to materialize, he made several visits to the embassy in August but was denied entry. On August 15, his lawyers issued a demand letter seeking Sh2.4 million plus damages for breach of contract.
In response, the Embassy’s lawyer, Olukaka Derrick, dismissed the claim as “baseless” and warned that further pursuit of the matter could be treated as fraudulent.
“Your client’s claim is entirely without merit and constitutes an attempt to improperly extract funds from a foreign mission,” read the legal response
The case has now taken a legal turn, with investigators expected to establish whether the matter was a fraudulent scheme or a genuine mix-up involving former embassy staff.
The incident has sparked debate in Nairobi’s business circles about due diligence in international dealings and the risks travel companies face when engaging with foreign missions