On Saturday, Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine and leader of Uganda’s National Unity Platform (NUP), expressed grave concern over what he described as Kenya’s alarming shift from being a beacon of hope in East Africa to a country increasingly associated with the abduction of young government critics.
His remarks followed reports of the disappearance of Gideon Kibet, also known as Kibet Bull, a university student, social media influencer, and cartoonist who has been openly critical of Kenyan President William Ruto. Kibet was allegedly abducted after leaving a meeting at the office of Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah on December 24, 2024.
Speaking out against this trend, Kyagulanyi urged Kenyans to act swiftly in defending their constitutional rights and freedoms. “I sympathize with you, wandungu, the great people of Kenya,” he said. “As I warned you before, you must resist Musevenism, which is gradually but firmly taking hold in your country.”
Kyagulanyi has consistently voiced similar concerns regarding the abduction of his supporters in Uganda, which he attributes to oppressive actions by the Ugandan government. He drew parallels between the situation in Uganda and the growing reports of repression in Kenya, calling on Kenyans to stand against such practices before they become entrenched.
“To my Kenyan friends, defend your Constitution while it is still strong enough to defend you,” he urged. “If you do not uproot repression while it is still a seedling, it will grow into a tree, spreading its branches everywhere, making it much harder to eliminate.”
Okiya Omtatah, the Busia Senator, claimed that Kibet’s abduction was carried out by members of Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). He stated that suspicious Subaru vehicles were parked outside his office during his meeting with Kibet. However, the DCI has denied the allegations, asserting that the vehicles are not affiliated with their agency and that the claims are baseless.
“The Inspector General (IG) has clarified that all police operations are conducted within the bounds of the Constitution and established legal frameworks,” the DCI said in a statement. “We reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that no extrajudicial actions occur within our ranks.”
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has also raised alarms, reporting seven cases of abduction in December 2024 alone. These incidents have sparked concern among human rights advocates and opposition figures, who fear the rise of repression in Kenya.
Kyagulanyi’s call for action resonates as the debate over the preservation of constitutional freedoms in Kenya intensifies. Human rights activists warn that failure to address these abductions could lead to the normalization of oppression, undermining Kenya’s democratic progress.
