Kenya’s government is facing criticism for its silence over the abduction of its nationals in foreign countries. The latest case involves human rights defenders Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, who were taken by men believed to be security officers in Kampala, Uganda. The two were showing solidarity with opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine. Despite Ugandan police denying they are holding the pair, Kenya has not issued a firm condemnation or demand for accountability.
This response is similar to previous cases, including the abduction of activist Boniface Mwangi in Tanzania in May 2025. Mwangi was seized by plainclothes officers, tortured, and dumped near the Kenya border after attending an opposition court hearing. Another activist, Mwabili Mwagodi, was also abducted in Tanzania, but the Kenyan government’s reaction was limited to a statement of “ongoing engagement.”
Critics argue that Kenya’s quiet diplomacy is equivalent to complicity, and that the government’s silence is a result of fear of defending its citizens when they speak out against powerful forces. Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has previously stated that Kenyan activists who engage in disruptive behavior abroad should face consequences, comments that were seen as legitimizing repression.
The Kenyan government’s indifference to the plight of its abducted citizens is consistent with its record of cracking down on critics at home. President William Ruto’s government has faced accusations of stifling dissent, prompting questions about whether its silence abroad is a result of the same intolerance.
For the families of Njagi and Oyoo, time is running out. Despite assurances from the Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary that the matter is being handled “through official channels,” no progress has been made, and the two remain missing. Rights groups warn that Kenya’s failure to take a firm stand risks normalizing the growing trend of cross-border disappearances targeting activists and opposition voices in East Africa.
The Kenyan government’s response to these abductions has significant implications for the country’s reputation as a champion of Pan-African unity and human rights. As one activist noted, “Diplomatic silence is not neutrality, it’s betrayal.” The government’s next steps will be closely watched, as the families of the abducted citizens and rights groups continue to demand action and accountability.
