Kenya: Gachagua Warns Kenya 'Not Safe' for Foreigners, Cites Cross-Border Abductions, Deportations

What the report says

Former Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto’s administration of allowing a series of cross-border abductions, forced deportations and what he called transnational repression, saying the situation makes Kenya unsafe for foreigners. He made the remarks in Nairobi on Tuesday while presenting a four-year accountability statement and performance audit of the government.

According to Capital FM, which AllAfrica distributed, Gachagua urged foreign embassies and development partners accredited to Kenya to protect their staff and citizens. He argued that diplomats, investors, tourists and other non-citizens face growing risk in the country, and said the government has failed to uphold constitutional freedoms and the rule of law. The government had not responded to the allegations in the material provided.

Gachagua cited several cases to support his claims, including the alleged return of Ugandan opposition supporters in 2024, the abduction and later deportation of Turkish asylum seekers in Nairobi, the reported disappearance of Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye while visiting Kenya, and the detention and deportation of Zimbabwean lawyer Brian Kagoro in 2026. He also mentioned other alleged incidents involving activists and foreign workers. As reported by Capital FM, the claims come as Gachagua seeks to frame the Ruto government’s security record as a break from its 2022 pledge to protect rights and strengthen democratic governance.