Police break up demo at Mudavadi’s office as anger grows over Kampala abductions

Police on Tuesday stopped a group of activists from accessing the offices of the Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.

The protesters, affiliated with various human rights organisations, carried placards and chanted slogans against President William Ruto and Mudavadi, accusing them of doing little to secure the release of their colleagues Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, who were allegedly abducted in Kampala, Uganda.

Led by John Mark and Julius Kamau, the activists marched towards Mudavadi’s offices at the Railways Station before police blocked their entry. They had sought to meet him to discuss the fate of Njagi and Oyoo.

“We will not stop calling out the government for its silence on the issue of abduction of our colleagues in Kampala because we have gotten reports that they are in ill health,” said Kamau.

Kamau warned that they would escalate their actions if both Kampala and Nairobi remained silent on the matter.

“This is just the beginning because we're moving to tell the whole world how the governments of Kenya and Uganda are collaborating in disrespecting human rights in the region,” he said.

Failure to intervene

The group also held demonstrations along Nairobi’s Aga Khan Walk and Haile Selassie Avenue, expressing frustration over what they described as the Kenyan government’s failure to intervene.

The protests come amid reports that the two missing activists are in poor health following alleged torture.

On Monday, Vocal Africa, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), and Amnesty International–Kenya voiced concern that Njagi and Oyoo had been detained for more than 25 days without access to legal, consular, or medical services.

“Informal sources indicate that the two's health has begun to deteriorate after more than 25 days in detention without access to consular, legal or medical services,” said Hussein Khalid, head of Vocal Africa Organisation.

Hussein criticised both Ruto and Mudavadi for their silence on the activists’ fate.

“What we now want is just proof that the two are alive. Our sources are intimating to us that the two are seriously sick because of mistreatment,” he said.

He further noted that the continued inaction by the Kenyan government was unacceptable.

“The lack of access to adequate medical care and the continued detention of these individuals raises serious questions about both the commitment of the Government of Kenya and the Government of Uganda to uphold constitutional rights and the rule of law.”

Other Topics To Read

• National
• Musalia Mudavadi
• Irungu Houghton
• Bob Njagi
• Nicholas Oyoo
• Kampala abductions
• Uganda abductions
• Police break up demo at Mudavadi’s office as anger grows over Kampala abductions
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Secure activists’ release

With time running out, the activists are urging Kenyans to pressure the government to break its silence and act to secure the activists’ release.

“Over the last three working days, three hundred Kenyans have directly emailed President Yoweri Museveni. As the campaign continues to roll out internationally, we are calling on more Kenyans, East Africans, and people across the world to use the facility to demand the release and safe return of our fellow citizens,” said Irũngũ Houghton, Executive Director of Amnesty International–Kenya.

This week, the activists plan to seek an audience with the National Assembly and Senate, urging lawmakers to intervene urgently.

Lawyer Abner Mango, representing the LSK, called on Parliament to exercise its oversight role and ensure the safety of Njagi and Oyoo.

“We are demanding that the President of Uganda immediately disclose the whereabouts of Njagi and Oyoo and ensure their safety, well-being, release, and return to Kenya,” said Mango.

Mango further urged President Museveni to guarantee the activists’ right to legal representation and communication with their families, and to order investigations into their abduction.

“Museveni should uphold the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, which are protected under Ugandan, East African, and international human rights law,” he said.