Kenyan Government Clears Its Name on Besigye’s Mysterious Disappearance in Nairobi
The Kenyan government has distanced itself from allegations surrounding the abduction and deportation of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye. Addressing the matter on Citizen TV, Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Korir Sing’Oei strongly denied any involvement, emphasizing that the incident was not sanctioned by Kenyan authorities.
“From the reports I am gathering, Besigye was abducted from an apartment in Nairobi. The reality, though, is that this is not an act of the Kenyan government. It is not an act by our security officials,” stated Sing’Oei.
Besigye, a frequent visitor to Kenya, was in the country to attend the launch of Martha Karua’s book Against the Tide. However, he reportedly went missing on Saturday, November 16, after being last seen at Riverside Apartments in Nairobi.
His wife, Winnie Byanyima, revealed his disappearance on social media, appealing to Ugandan authorities for his immediate release.
“I request the government of Uganda to release my husband, Kizza Besigye, from where he is being held immediately,” Byanyima wrote.
According to a statement by the Pan African Leaders Solidarity Network, Besigye had checked into the Waridi Paradise Hotel before heading to Riverside Apartments for a meeting. His taxi driver waited for hours without a response, raising concerns about his whereabouts.
PS Sing’Oei clarified that Besigye’s visit had not been officially communicated to the Kenyan government. “The circumstances surrounding Besigye’s travel to Kenya were not known to us. No information was shared before he traveled,” he explained, adding that senior leaders usually notify authorities for logistical support, including security arrangements.
In Uganda, Besigye was arraigned before a military court and remanded until December 2, 2024, on charges related to illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. He alleged that he had been held incommunicado since his arrest in Kenya.
The incident has sparked widespread criticism, with parallels drawn to previous cases of enforced disappearances in Kenya, including the deportation of Turkish nationals last year.
Sing’Oei reassured the public that investigations into the matter are ongoing. “When I spoke to my colleagues at Interior, they informed me that they had launched investigations into the circumstances surrounding this so-called abduction,” he affirmed.
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Kenyan Government Clears Its Name on Besigye’s Mysterious Disappearance in Nairobi
