Two Kenyan activists, who were abducted in Kampala on October 1, have been released after 38 days.
Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo were released on the night of Friday October 7, 38 days after they were allegedly abducted by Ugandan security officers. They were handed over to Kenyan authorities at the Busia border crossing.
The release was confirmed by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'Oei, who stated that the two had been handed over to the Kenyan High Commissioner in Uganda.
He revealed that Ugandan officials then escorted them to the Busia border, where they were received by Busia County Commissioner Chaunga Mwachunga.
“Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo are free and on Kenyan territory. Late last night, after lengthy engagements, the two were released to our High Commissioner in Uganda. They were escorted by the Ambassador and officials of the Uganda government to Busia border town and were received by Busia County Commissioner, Chaunga Mwachaunga,” Sing’Oei said in a statement on Saturday, November 8
He added that: “Deeply grateful for the efforts by different actors who made this outcome possible. We shall be releasing a more detailed account later.”
Amnesty International Kenya, the Law Society of Kenya and Voice of Community Activists and Leaders Africa also issued a joint statement welcoming the release.
“We extend our appreciation to their families, Free Kenya Movement colleagues, human rights defenders, journalists, the minitries of foreign affairs in Kenya,” the groups stated.
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The lobby groups also revealed that former President Uhuru Kenyatta was involved in the release.
“[We] welcome the release of Nicholas Oyoo and Bob Njagi last night after 38 days of their enforced disappearance. We extend our appreciation to the Kenyan and Ugandan governments at the highest level and the immediate former President of Kenya for their cooperation towards their safe return,” Amnesty said in a statement on Saturday, November 8.
Amnesty added that they were working with authorities and their families to have the two Kenyans transferred to Nairobi. However, they did not reveal when they will arrive in Nairobi.
“We are facilitating their transfer to Nairobi and will give details of their arrival for family, friends and comrades to meet them,” the Amnesty statement read in part.
Their disappearance, allegedly at the hands of security forces, sparked diplomatic tensions amid widespread calls for their release by lobby and civil society groups across the region.
Njagi and Oyoo, who are associated with the Free Kenya Movement, were reportedly abducted in Kampala, where they had gone to attend a political rally organised by the Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine.
