Kenya Denies Involvement in Besigye Abduction

The Kenyan government has clarified the alleged abduction of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye, amid growing criticism over the increasing incidents of abductions of foreign nationals in Kenya.

In a televised interview on Citizen TV on November 20, Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Korir Sing'Oei categorically denied any official involvement in Besigye's abduction and subsequent deportation to Uganda. Sing'Oei emphasizes that the circumstances of Besigye's travel were unknown to Kenyan authorities, noting that while the opposition leader frequently visits Kenya for private business, no prior communication was made to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding this particular trip. He explains that typically, senior government and opposition leaders inform the ministry of their travel plans, enabling appropriate diplomatic protocols and security arrangements.

The incident unfolded on Saturday, November 16, when Besigye was reportedly abducted from an apartment in Nairobi's Riverside area. He had been in Kenya to attend the launch of Martha Karua's book "Against the Tide" on November 19. His wife, Winnie Byanyima, publicly appealed for his immediate release, bringing international attention to the situation. According to a statement from Martha Karua's Pan African Leaders Solidarity Network, Besigye had checked into the Waridi Paradise Hotel and subsequently traveled to 108 Riverside Apartments for a meeting.

The taxi driver who transported him waited until 4 am without receiving any response, marking the beginning of the mysterious circumstances surrounding his disappearance. Following his abduction, Besigye has been arraigned before a Makindye Military Court in Uganda, alongside his close aide Haji Obed Kamulegeya. He claims he had been unable to communicate with anyone, including his legal representatives, since his arrest in Kenya. The court has remanded him to prison until December 2, 2024, on charges related to illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Sing'Oei states that the Kenyan government has initiated investigations to determine the precise details of the alleged abduction. This development comes in the wake of previous controversial incidents, including the abduction and deportation of four Turkish nationals, which had already raised significant concerns about foreign national safety in Kenya.