I sympathise with the great people of Kenya – Bobi Wine

Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has voiced his concern over the recent surge in alleged abductions in Kenya, warning that the East African nation risks sliding into authoritarianism.

In a statement on Saturday, Wine expressed his sympathy for Kenyans, saying he was saddened by the country's descent from being a symbol of hope for the region to a place known for the disappearance of citizens critical of the government.

"The situation in Kenya is heartbreaking," Wine said. "It is very sad to see how quickly Kenya is descending from being regarded as a beacon of hope for our troubled East African region to now being known for abductions of young citizens critical to the government of the day," he stated.

His comments come in the wake of the high-profile abduction of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye, who was seized in Nairobi and forcibly returned to Uganda, where he is facing trial in a court-martial.

Wine, who has long been an outspoken critic of Uganda's ruling government, cautioned Kenyans that the country's democratic gains were under threat.

He urged Kenyans to take immediate action to protect their constitutional rights before it was too late.

"I sympathise with you, Wandungu, the great people of Kenya. Like I warned you previously, you must resist," Wine said.

"You must defend your Constitution before it is too weak to defend you. If you do not uproot repression when it is a seedling, it becomes much harder when it takes root, grows into a tree, and spreads its branches everywhere," he added.

According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), 82 people have been reported abducted in the past six months, with 29 still unaccounted for.

In a statement released in late December, the Commission revealed that the number of reported disappearances had risen sharply in recent months, with 13 cases occurring between September and December 2024 alone.

The Commission's Chairperson, Roseline Odede, stated that among the latest victims were individuals who were forcibly taken from different parts of Kenya. In December alone, seven people were abducted, six of whom are still missing.

The names of the victims include Steve Kavingo Mbisi, who was seized in Machakos County on December 17; Billy Wanyiri Mwangi, taken in Embu County on December 21; and Peter Muteti, who was abducted in Nairobi's Uthiru estate.

Other victims include Bernard Kavuli, abducted in Nairobi's Ngong' estate on December 22, and Naomi, also known as @Jabertotoo, who went missing from Ruaraka estate in Nairobi. Another case was the abduction of cartoonist Gideon Kibet, also known as Kibet Bull, who was seized on the eve of Christmas Day, alongside his brother Rony Kiplang'at, in Kiambu County.

Despite the growing number of abductions, Kenyan authorities have consistently denied any involvement in the disappearances.

Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, has dismissed accusations that the police are behind the alleged abductions, adding that investigations are ongoing.

He said that no police station in the country is currently holding any of the persons reported to have been abducted.

"For the avoidance of doubt, the National Police Service is not involved in any abduction, and there is no police station in the country that is holding the reported abductees," Kanja added.

The IG added that the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) will probe the said abductions, as he called on members of the public with any useful information on the missing persons to report to the nearest police stations.