Governor Orengo Condemns Abduction of Ugandan Opposition Leader Kizza Besigye in Nairobi

NAIROBI, Kenya – Siaya Governor James Orengo has raised alarm over the alleged abduction of prominent Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye in Nairobi.

In a statement issued Wednesday, Orengo criticized the actions, reportedly involving Kenyan security agencies, as a violation of democratic principles and the rule of law.

“It is disturbing to learn that Kizza Besigye…was abducted in Nairobi and driven across the border to Uganda against his will, having entered Kenya lawfully,” Orengo said.

The statement emphasized that Besigye, a well-known political figure in Uganda, did not arrive in Kenya as a fugitive, challenging the legitimacy of the operation.

Orengo questioned the involvement of Kenya’s security organs in what he termed a breach of the country’s sovereignty and constitutional values.

“If the abduction was carried out by elements of Kenya’s security organs, it raises fundamental questions about the ability and authority of our security agencies,” he stated.

Orengo called on the Kenyan government to demand Besigye’s immediate release and initiate a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the alleged abduction.

He argued that existing legal frameworks should have been employed if any legitimate issues regarding Besigye’s presence in Kenya existed.

“Kenya must decide whether we want to be a constitutional democracy governed by the primacy of the Bill of Rights and tenets of justice or a tyranny,” he added, warning that such incidents undermine Kenya’s commitment to democratic governance as outlined in the 2010 Constitution.

Orengo’s remarks come amid growing concerns over cross-border political operations involving dissidents in East Africa.

Besigye, a former ally-turned-critic of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, has faced repeated arrests and intimidation for his opposition to the government.

As calls for clarity on the matter grow, Orengo urged adherence to the rule of law, asserting that abductions and forced removals are an affront to Kenya’s constitutional values.

The Kenyan government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.