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 pattern of cross-border abductions, forced deportations and what he described as transnational repression, saying the situation has made Kenya unsafe for foreigners, investors and even citizens. He made the remarks in Nairobi on Tuesday while presenting a four-year accountability statement and performance audit of the government, and he urged foreign embassies and development partners to take steps to protect their staff and nationals in Kenya.

In the Capital FM report distributed by AllAfrica, Gachagua pointed to several cases he said illustrated the problem. These included the alleged return of Ugandan opposition supporters in 2024, the abduction of Turkish asylum seekers in Nairobi and the reported deportation of some of them, the disappearance of Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye in Nairobi, and the near-abduction of Tanzanian journalist and activist Maria Sarungi. He also cited the detention and removal of Zimbabwean lawyer Brian Kagoro and the deportation of two Chinese company officials.

Gachagua said the cases showed a wider breakdown in security and respect for constitutional rights under the current government. His comments appear aimed at challenging the Ruto administration’s record on law, order and human rights, and at drawing international attention to Kenya’s treatment of foreign nationals and political dissidents. The government had not responded to the allegations in the material provided.