Foreign Minister Confirms Their Safe Release and Return to Families
By Burnett Munthali
Kenya’s Foreign Minister has announced the release of two Kenyan activists who were abducted in neighbouring Uganda five weeks ago.
The news has brought immense relief to the families and human rights communities that had been tirelessly campaigning for their safe return.
According to the minister, the two activists are now in safe hands and are being prepared for reunification with their families in Kenya.
The activists, whose identities have not yet been publicly disclosed for security reasons, were reportedly taken under unclear circumstances while conducting community engagement work near the Uganda–Kenya border.
Their disappearance sparked widespread concern across both countries, with civil society organisations demanding urgent action from authorities to locate and free them.
For weeks, speculation mounted as conflicting reports emerged about their whereabouts, with some suggesting they were being held by unidentified security operatives.
The Kenyan government said it had been working closely with Ugandan counterparts and international partners to secure their release through diplomatic channels.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Foreign Minister praised the efforts of both governments and human rights advocates who maintained pressure throughout the ordeal.
He reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to protecting its citizens, both at home and abroad, saying that the government “will never relent in defending the rights and safety of all Kenyans wherever they may be.”
Human rights defenders have welcomed the release but continue to call for a full investigation into the abduction to ensure accountability and prevent similar incidents in the future.
They have also urged the Ugandan authorities to clarify the circumstances under which the activists were detained and to guarantee greater safety for cross-border civil society workers.
The case has reignited debate about the shrinking space for activism in parts of East Africa, where human rights defenders often face intimidation, harassment, or unlawful arrests.
As the two activists prepare to reunite with their families, their story serves as both a warning and a reminder — that the struggle for justice and human rights in the region remains fraught with risks but also powered by resilience and solidarity.
