Kenya: Governor James Orengo – Statement on the unlawful abduction of Kizza Besigye (20.11.2024)

Ugandan opposition aren’t safe in Kenya

“According to his family, Dr. Besigye was abducted on Saturday in Nairobi and is suspected to be under military detention here in Uganda. This is most unfortunate!  A few months ago, 36 other activists were abducted from Nairobi and brought back to Uganda in utter violation of the law. As we call for his immediate release, we condemn this blatant abuse of the law by the regime here in Uganda, and sadly the authorities in Kenya. We are back to the dark days when Ugandans were casually picked from the streets of Nairobi and returned to Uganda to be tortured, jailed and others executed. The abduction of Ugandan citizens from Kenya and handing them over to the regime in Uganda without following extradition laws must be condemned by all people of good conscience!” (Bobi Wine, 20.11.2024).

Yet again, the authorities and the state of the Republic of Kenya is allowing Ugandan citizens to be apprehended, kidnapped and taken into custody when they cross the borders by force. This happened earlier in the year, and it happens yet again.

The Operational Zone for foreign intelligence organizations is clear. The Kenyan authorities under the reign of President William Ruto is allowing it. They are accepting and vouching for these actions.

Just imagine that Dr. Kizza Besigye checked into the Waridi Paradise Hotel and met with a taxi driver for a meeting at Riverside Apartments. A driver that waited for him and he never showed up. The same happened with his supposed appearance at the book launch of Marta Karua on Sunday. Therefore, they knew he was going to the hotel and abducted him from there. Since he never saw the driver again for the planned meeting later the same day.

This just shows that someone flew into Nairobi and checked into a hotel. Then after all of this and with the planned schedule of Besigye. He was captured and silenced. As his communication was shut-off and the kidnappers muted him. Until we saw him again arraigned at the Makindye Military Court at the Makindye Military Barracks in Uganda.

There unverified reports that the Kenyan state is allowing Ugandan security operatives to abduct and kidnap citizens within the republic. If that is agreed upon between the heads of state. That is unknown too, but it is a reason for this speculation to happen. Especially, when stories like Besigye is happening. When other citizens are captured in Kenya and later either detained or arraigned before the courts in Uganda. Therefore, there is a coordination and allowed actions on Kenyan soil. If it is Nairobi or in Kisumu. They are allowed to act and do as they please.

This shows that the Ugandan activists and people aren’t in a safe haven in Kenya. The Government of Kenya is allowing it and letting it happen. They are saying “okay” and giving the Ugandan state a “heads up”.

If you are afraid of drones in Uganda. There is a possibility for a similar action happening in Kenya. That’s the message here. They are allowing it and accepting the fate of the foreigners who goes to Kenya. These are in an “operational zone” and are “fair game”. That’s why this happens and people should be concerned. Because the authorities are okay with it and they aren’t even worried about the consequences of doing so.

If they were afraid or worried about it. These people wouldn’t be captured and arraigned later in the courts in their nation. No, they would be safe and be able to escape the authorities in Kenya. Alas, that isn’t the case, and no Ugandan activist or opposition is safe in Kenya. That’s the message that is sent and it’s tragic. Peace.

The Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK): Statement from the Anglican Church of Kenya on Misleading Information regarding the Church’s Position on Governance Issues Affecting the Nation (18.11.2024)

Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB): Let us Restore Hope (14.11.2024)

Kenya: Kindiki sworn-in as the loyal deputy

Today, Kithure Kindiki is sworn-in as the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya. The previous Senator and Minister of Interior is now the Second in Command. He has now gotten promoted to the top. His now the man who will carry the weight and be the soft-spoken ally of the President.

This happens after the high flying Rigathi Gachagua got impeached and is out of office. The one who was on the ticket and helped the President to get elected in the first place. Gachagua is rightfully impeached, but the same could be said about anyone in the cabinet or in the Parliament. It was because of his intensity and his ego that he got dropped. He didn’t serve the purpose of which Ruto or his Sugoi mafia needed. That’s why they dismissed him and took his office away.

Now Kindiki who did his magic and acted wilfully as the henchman of the government. His now going from the Minister of Interior, as he was acting with force and viciousness against the critics. They are using methods of abductions, arrests and even lethal means. Therefore, this man has to answer for the years in office as the Cabinet Secretary too. Those years won’t be forgotten and how he addressed the protests. Won’t be forgotten quickly either, as the lives, the hurt and the suffering is continuing as we speak.

It doesn’t help that the IEBC has cleared this but couldn’t hold a by-election. The same authorities that haven’t had the ability to hold elections. Can assess and address the needs of the Head of State. The Commander in Chief needed a hand, and they gave it too him. Just like the judiciary came to his aide too. It is like the whole system is rigged to favour the President and whatever whims he has. Therefore, Kindiki get’s the office and get the promotion to become the Deputy and Second in Command.

Certainly, Ruto will be giddy. He gets a loyal ally, which has followed him for years. Been a voice of reason and a defender of him since 2011. Since the case in the ICC, these two has been in it together and now his there yet again.

We know Kindiki could defend the post-election violence case in the ICC. He had no trouble issuing orders and enforce extra judicial killings in this year too. That’s why Ruto know what sort of person he has at his disposal. As his Deputy he will carry his water and be the loyal comrade he needs.

We can wonder what Kindiki see in this, as he would be more critical and be more vital as the CS of Interior. That’s where he would sway more power and be a bigger man in the grand scheme of things. Now he goes back into the shadow and becomes a ceremonial leader of sorts. That’s a gig his willing to do, as he wants to continue to show loyalty to Ruto.

We can just wonder why he would do so… and what is in it for him. Peace.

Kenya: Police Reforms Working Group – Kenya (PRWG-K) – Statement on the Refoulement of Four Turkish Asylum Seekers for Immediate Release (21.10.2024)

Kenya: The Senate – Communication from the Chair – On the absence of the Deputy President at the Afternoon Sitting of the Senate Held on Thursday 17th October, 2024 (17.10.2024)

Kenya: Office of the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua letter to President William Ruto (16.10.2024)

Opinion: Baba Odinga cannot con the ODM to be the opposition now…

“I want to be on record. There is no such alliance, as ODM has not entered into any political coalition with President William Ruto’s government” (…)  “ODM remains firmly in its position as an opposition party and within Azimio. We are not in coalition with Kenya Kwanza” (…) “They asked for experts from ODM to help them in certain areas. We released them, but that does not mean we joined the Kenya Kwanza government” – Raila Odinga (13.10.2024).

There are certainly someone who wants to brand themselves opposition at any time. That being the political leader and maverick, Raila Odinga. He wants to be seen as an opposition leader and a politician as such. Even if he is a wheeler-dealer who successfully make agreements and handshakes with the government when it fits him. Therefore, the story is a reflection of how he is.

Raila Odinga and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is now connected, a part of and has to acknowledge who they are now. They have maybe no direct agreement or a sort of memorandum of understanding between the Kenya Kwanza Alliance and the ODM. However, there are Ministers and former high-ranking officials of the party, which is now in government.

That means the ODM is in Government by definition. The ODM and their leaders are a part of government. They aren’t in opposition but serving in ministries. They are not outsiders and are playing a part in the “broad-based” government of President William Ruto. That is giving leverage and giving political mileage to Odinga.

An Odinga who needs the state support for his case and his petition to become the Chairperson of the African Union. That’s what matters to him at this point. This is why he will be vocal and defend the government itself. It don’t matter how and what, but he will be behind the skirt of Ruto. That’s what he does and he has the motivation to do so.

This is why it is a foolery to say your opposition now. Yes, the man isn’t directly in government, and neither is the whole party a part of the government. However, so many vital people have become ministers and himself is now defending Ruto. So, they aren’t a practical opposition party. They are connected to it and is a part of the government by default now.

In 2024 the ODM is the government and so is Odinga. His not an outsider, but one of them. That’s because of the choices his leaders has chosen and what the party has accepted by doing so. They are now a part of the government. This party isn’t an pure opposition party. That’s a story they cannot sell…

No one is buying it. We are seeing it in front of our eyes. Just like the BBI made him semi-autonomous and connected to the government of Jubilee too. Therefore, we shouldn’t buy this now. It is the same trick, but with another sort of arrangement. All to benefit Odinga and his political party, the ODM. Peace.

Nile Basin Initiative: Agreement on the Nile River Basin Cooperative Framework – Announcement by the Nile Basin States on the Entry into Force of the Nile River Basin Cooperative Framework Agreement (13.10.2024)