Kisumu County Governor, Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, has condemned the human rights violations against 36 members of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), who were arrested within his county Kisumu, Kenya.
According to reports from the FDC’s Katonga faction, the group was allegedly apprehended at gunpoint by masked men on July 23, loaded onto trucks, and driven overnight to Busia. The following day, they were transferred to Ugandan minibusses.
Addressing journalists at Kololo on July 24, Paul Mugisha, the ESO Liaison and Protocol Director, stated that the group was arrested for engaging in suspicious activities unknown to Kenyan authorities. He mentioned that their Kenyan counterparts informed them of the arrests, leading to the decision to repatriate the group to Uganda rather than detaining them in Kenya.
In a press statement dated August 1, Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o called on the Kenyan police to clarify whether its officers were involved in the arrest and rapid deportation of the Ugandan nationals and the reasons behind the incident.
“I further call for detailed investigations into this matter. Ugandan authorities should also clarify the nature of the crimes allegedly committed by these 36 politicians. Kenya is a democratic country that respects international human rights charters and should not be used to curtail the rights of people legally present in our country,” read part of the statement.
The group has since been remanded in Luzira prison until August 13 on charges of terrorism, after appearing before the Nakawa Chief Magistrate Court, presided over by Chief Magistrate Elias Kakooza, on July 29.
Further reports from FDC Katonga indicated that the group was in Kenya legally for a week-long training at Ukweli Pastoral and Leadership Center to enhance their leadership and communication skills, with proper immigration clearance from both countries.