Africa-Press – Kenya. Human rights campaigner Bob Njagi has said he was subjected to torture while held for weeks in a military camp. The camp, Njagi alleged, is operated by special forces.
“We’ve not been eating for about 14 days. I have been fasting,” he told journalists upon arrival in the country.
According to the activist, the food they were given ‘was not good’, terming it dehumanising. Njagi and his colleague Nicholas Oyoo were freed Friday night after being held for 38 days by unknown abductors.
“It has been very difficult, but thank you so much for your solidarity,” he told supporters.
Asked whether he and his colleague had been tortured, Njagi confirmed: “Yes, we were tortured, we are going to release more details soon.” He said they will provide further information after receiving medical attention.
The duo had travelled to Uganda to monitor a campaign event of opposition leader Bobi Wine and were reportedly intercepted on October 1 at a petrol station in Kaliro District.
Activists and rights groups are now calling for a thorough investigation into the detention, with particular concern over allegations of torture and the broader pattern of cross-border repression in East Africa. The government confirmed the activists’ release and said their return followed “sustained diplomatic engagement” with Uganda.
“Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo are free and on Kenyan territory. Late last night, after lengthy engagements, the two were released to our High Commissioner in Uganda,” said Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei.
Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President, Faith Odhiambo, welcomed the release of the duos. In a statement on X, Odhiambo said that together with VOCAL Africa and Amnesty Kenya, they welcome their release.
Their release, she said, marks an important moment for human rights defenders in the region. “We welcome the release of Nicholas Oyoo and Bob Njagi last night in Busia after 38 days of their enforced disappearance,” she said in a statement.
Odhiambo also thanked those who campaigned for their release, including the activists’ families, the Free Kenya Movement, human rights defenders, journalists, and the ministries of foreign affairs in both Kenya and Tanzania.
“We extend our appreciation to their families, Free Kenya movement colleagues, human rights defenders, journalists, the ministries of foreign affairs in Kenya and Tanzania, and all active citizens who have tirelessly campaigned for this moment,” she said.
The LSK president noted that the release should mark a turning point in how East Africans’ rights are protected across the region. “Let this moment signal an important shift towards upholding the human rights of East Africans anywhere within the East African Community,” Odhiambo said.
She added that the organisations are now facilitating the transfer of Oyoo and Njagi to Nairobi. “We will give details of their arrival for family, friends and comrades to meet them,” she stated.
For More News And Analysis About Kenya Follow Africa-Press
