Kenya is facing a storm of criticism following revelations that it assisted in the abduction of Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye on its soil last year. The dramatic admission by Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has sparked outrage among human rights activists and political leaders, who are accusing Nairobi of breaching international law.
Besigye, 68, a prominent critic of Uganda’s long-serving President Yoweri Museveni, was kidnapped by armed men in Nairobi last November. He resurfaced days later before a military tribunal in Uganda, where he faces treason charges—a crime that carries the death penalty.
Kenya had previously denied involvement in the operation. However, in a Tuesday night interview with Citizen TV, Mudavadi confirmed that Kenya had “cooperated with Ugandan authorities,” suggesting the abduction was a coordinated act between the two governments.
The revelation drew immediate condemnation from Martha Karua, a Kenyan opposition leader and lawyer representing Besigye in his trial. “Kenya is admitting to being a rogue state,” she said, branding the operation as an unlawful act of cross-border rendition. “This is completely outside of the law and undermines the rule of law in our region.”
Karua added that cooperation between countries must always respect legal frameworks and human rights, not political interests. She also accused Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania of systematically suppressing dissent across East Africa.
Besigye’s treason case, now moved to a civilian court following his hunger strike, was adjourned yet again on Wednesday. His lawyer, Erias Lukwago, expressed frustration, saying the courts are being used to delay justice and deny bail.
Meanwhile, the crisis of democratic backsliding in the region is deepening. Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu is also facing treason charges. Foreign activists attending his trial were detained and deported this week including Karua herself.
Human rights groups have condemned what they call the “oppression and incommunicado detention” of regional activists. Two one Kenyan and one Ugandan remain missing after arrests in Tanzania.
The developments paint a troubling picture of increasing repression and erosion of freedoms across East Africa.
