The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President, Faith Odhiambo, has welcomed the release of activists Nicholas Oyoo and Bob Njagi, who were freed in Busia on Thursday night after 38 days of enforced disappearance.
In a statement on X, Odhiambo said that together with VOCAL Africa and Amnesty Kenya, they welcome their release.
She said the two had been missing for over a month before being released, marking what she described as 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,” the statement read.
Odhiambo 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.
The two activists’ disappearance had sparked outrage among rights groups, who demanded accountability and adherence to the rule of law.
On his part, Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing'Oei stated that Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo were free and on Kenyan territory.
"Late last night, after lengthy engagements, the two were released to our High Commissioner in Uganda, Maangi Joash," he said on X.
"They were escorted by the Ambassador and officials of the Uganda government to Busia border town and were received by Busia County Commissioner, Chaunga Mwachaunga. Deeply grateful for the efforts by different actors who made this outcome possible. We shall be releasing a more detailed account later."
On October 1, the two Kenyan activists were reported missing in Uganda under unclear circumstances.
According to reports, the duo had travelled to Uganda on Monday, September 29, with two Ugandan colleagues.
They later parted ways in Kampala, with Njagi and Oyoo said to have joined opposition politician Bobi Wine’s campaign trail in Buyende and Kamuli districts.
Njagi was reportedly seen addressing supporters at a campaign rally alongside Bobi Wine.
The following day, witnesses said the two Kenyans stopped at a petrol station in Kamuli for car repairs.
Around 3 p.m., a grey van carrying four armed individuals allegedly arrived at the station, and the men — one reportedly a woman seated in front — were said to have forced Njagi and Oyoo into the vehicle.
A third person who was with them was briefly detained but later released and told to return to the vehicle. Witnesses later reported that the activists’ phones went silent after the incident.
Ugandan police spokesman Kituma Rusoke [then] said the two were not in their custody.
Human rights lobby VOCAL Africa condemned the alleged abduction, saying in a post on its X handle: “Reports confirm that activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo of the Free Kenya Movement were abducted in Kampala, Uganda, while attending opposition leader Bobi Wine’s campaign. They were reportedly taken from a fuel station.”
