James Orengo, the governor of Siaya County in western Kenya, has called on the Kenyan government to demand the immediate release of Ugandan politician Dr. Kizza Besigye.
Orengo on Wednesday stressed that the circumstances surrounding Besigye’s reported abduction must be fully investigated and clarified.
According to Orengo, Kenya has a legal framework grounded in democratic principles and the rule of law that should have been invoked if any legitimate concerns about Besigye’s presence in the country existed. He emphasized that any actions outside these principles risk undermining constitutional democracy.
On Tuesday evening, reports of Dr. Besigye’s disappearance over the weekend sparked widespread concern, particularly in Uganda. Sources indicate that Besigye was arrested last weekend in Nairobi, Kenya, where he was scheduled to attend and speak at the launch of Hon. Martha Karua’s book on Sunday.
Orengo described the incident as deeply troubling, particularly as Besigye, a prominent political leader, was allegedly abducted in Nairobi and transported across the border to Uganda against his will. “Dr. Besigye did not come to Kenya as a fugitive,” Orengo said in a statement. “The most disturbing aspect of this saga is that the abduction appears to have been carried out by elements of Kenya’s security organs. If this was not the case, it raises fundamental questions about the authority and competence of our security agencies.”
He further condemned the abduction, stating that such actions undermine Kenya’s constitutional values and its commitment to justice.
“Abductions of this nature contradict the principles of a constitutional democracy and violate the Bill of Rights,” he said. “Kenya must decide whether it wishes to be governed by the rule of law or by tyranny.”
Dr. Besigye, along with Hajji Lutale, appeared before a Ugandan court-martial on Wednesday, where they were charged with undisclosed offenses. The duo is set to return to court on December 2, 2024, as legal arguments over jurisdiction and the charges against them continue.
The case has reignited regional concerns about cross-border arrests and the treatment of opposition figures, highlighting the delicate balance between national security and adherence to democratic norms in East Africa.
