Prominent Kenyan businessman and philanthropist Gor Semelang’o has reportedly been detained in Dubai following a business dispute with a fellow Kenyan, according to a statement shared on social media by city lawyer Donald B. Kipkorir.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Kipkorir revealed that his close friend, whom he referred to as his “BFF,” was incarcerated in Dubai over a shareholder disagreement involving a nightclub business.
“My BFF Gor Semelang’o has been incarcerated in Dubai over a Club Business shareholder dispute with a Kenyan lady. In Dubai, commercial disputes which are ordinarily civil are criminal,” Kipkorir wrote.
He added that he had reached out to Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Dr. Korir Sing’oei to intervene diplomatically, citing what he termed an unfair use of the UAE legal system to settle a contractual disagreement between two Kenyans.
“It is not right for a Kenyan to use the Dubai legal system against another Kenyan to settle a dispute that is contractual,” Kipkorir stated, while describing Semelang’o as “a good man with a big heart.”
The lawyer appealed for the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs to engage with the UAE authorities to secure Semelang’o’s release or at least ensure an amicable settlement.
Government officials have yet to issue a formal statement on the matter, but sources within the ministry confirmed that the case had been brought to their attention.
Dr. Sing’oei, who oversees Kenya’s bilateral and multilateral relations, is said to have a cordial working relationship with both Kipkorir and members of the Kenyan diaspora in the UAE, raising hopes that diplomatic channels may help resolve the impasse swiftly.
Gor Semelang’o, a well-known entrepreneur and philanthropist, previously served as Chairman of the Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF) during President Mwai Kibaki’s administration.
He has also been involved in media, entertainment, and youth empowerment initiatives, earning a reputation as one of the more non-tribal and inclusive figures in Kenya’s business landscape.
Kipkorir, in his tweet, emphasized Semelang’o’s integrity and national outlook:
“Gor is one of few Kenyans who has no tribalism in his bone,” he wrote, adding that he remained optimistic the matter would be resolved quickly.
Legal experts note that Dubai’s judicial system treats many commercial disputes as criminal matters—especially when financial obligations, bounced cheques, or shareholder issues are involved.
This often leads to temporary detention of business partners pending resolution, unlike in Kenya where such issues are handled as civil cases.
