Two Kenyan activists, Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, who were abducted in Kampala, Uganda, on October 1, have been released after 38 days in captivity. The pair were handed over to Kenyan authorities on Friday night, November 7, at the Busia border crossing, bringing relief to their families and the human rights community.
Their release was confirmed by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei, who announced that the two were safely back on Kenyan soil. “Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo are free and on Kenyan territory. Late last night, after lengthy engagements, the two were released to our High Commissioner in Uganda. They were escorted by the Ambassador and officials of the Uganda government to Busia border town and were received by Busia County Commissioner Chaunga Mwachaunga,” he said in a statement.
Sing’Oei expressed gratitude to all parties involved, adding that a detailed report on their ordeal and recovery would be released soon.
Amnesty International Kenya, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), and the Voice of Community Activists and Leaders Africa (VOCAL) also welcomed the news. In a joint statement, the groups applauded the collaborative efforts that led to the release and revealed that former President Uhuru Kenyatta had played a role in the negotiations.
“We welcome the release of Nicholas Oyoo and Bob Njagi after 38 days of their enforced disappearance. We extend appreciation to the Kenyan and Ugandan governments and the immediate former President of Kenya for their cooperation towards their safe return,” Amnesty stated.
The organizations confirmed they are working with authorities to facilitate the activists’ transfer to Nairobi for reunion with their families. Their abduction, allegedly carried out by Ugandan security agents, had drawn strong condemnation from civil society groups across East Africa.