Rights groups condemn silence from Ruto, Museveni as abducted Kenyan activists suffer in Uganda
Rights organisations in Kenya are sounding the alarm over the deteriorating health of activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, who were abducted in Kampala a month ago and have allegedly been tortured while held incommunicado.
Two Kenyan human rights activists who were abducted in Kampala, Uganda, a month ago are in poor health after alleged torture, according to human rights organisations in Nairobi.
Vocal Africa, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), and Amnesty International Kenya expressed frustration that Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo have been held for over 25 days without access to legal, consular, or medical services.
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"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, the CEO of Vocal Africa.
Hussein criticised President William Ruto and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi for remaining silent on the activists’ plight.
"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 despite repeated public appeals for urgent action from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and initial due diligence efforts, “the public silence and inaction from Ruto's administration over the last two weeks is alarming and unacceptable. The lack of access to adequate medical care and the continued detention of these individuals raise 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."
Families in distress
With concern mounting, human rights groups are urging Kenyans to pressure the government to speak out on the activists’ whereabouts as their families remain in distress.
"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.
The activists plan to seek an audience with the National Assembly and Senate this week to push for urgent intervention in what they describe as a worsening situation.
Lawyer Abner Mango, representing the LSK, called on Parliament to exercise its oversight role and ensure the rights and safety of the two Kenyans.
"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.
According to him, Museveni must also guarantee their right to legal representation and communication with their families, and investigate the circumstances of 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," Mango said.
The activists’ appeals come just days after the Ugandan High Court dismissed a petition seeking to compel the government to produce the two missing Kenyans.
In its ruling, the court dismissed a habeas corpus application because there was no evidence that the state was holding the activists in custody. It instead classified Njagi and Oyoo as missing persons and directed the petitioners to file a missing persons report with the Ugandan Police Force.
“It is therefore my finding that the respondents have complied fully with the directives of courts as relates to this application and the orders issued pursuant to this application. In the circumstances, I find it unnecessary to issue any additional orders as prayed for by the applicant. In the circumstances, I dismiss this application with no mention as to costs," read the ruling.
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