KAPSABET, Kenya — Nandi County Senator Samson Cherargei has issued a strong warning to Kenyan human rights activists, accusing them of becoming “busybodies” who interfere with the politics and sovereignty of neighboring countries, and calling for their swift repatriation and severe punishment.
Speaking during a Sunday service at the PAG Church in Kapsabet town, Senator Cherargei stated that foreign nations should not tolerate individuals who exploit the guise of human rights protection to jeopardize their security.
“I want to warn our activists who are busybodies. Stop exporting your bad manners to other countries. Stop it. Uganda and Tanzania are sovereign countries,” said Cherargei.
He stressed that those proven to be involved in such activities deserve harsh consequences, including being sent back to Kenya.
Call for action against ‘destabilization’
Cherargei’s comments were made just one day after Kenyan activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo returned to Kenya following 39 days of detention in Uganda.
The Senator explicitly thanked Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni for the release, but followed up with a stern request to both regional leaders regarding future incidents.
“We thank President Museveni for accepting to release Njagi and Oyoo. You can’t go to someone’s house to cause trouble.” “I want to ask President Samia and Museveni, if you get any busy bodies, activists who want to destabilise the sovereignity of your country. Finya hao, warudishe nyumbani tuwamalizie,” added the Nandi legislator. (Note: “Finya hao” translates roughly to “Crush them” or “Deal with them firmly.”)
Njagi and Oyoo had traveled to Kampala to support opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) when they went missing on October 1, 2025. Reports indicated they were abducted by armed men in Kira Municipality, Uganda. They were eventually freed on Saturday, November 8, and handed over to the Kenyan High Commission.
Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Musalia Mudavadi, confirmed the release was a diplomatic success, stating it followed a “sustained diplomatic engagement between Kenya and Uganda” where “both governments maintained open and constructive communication that has culminated in the safe release of our nationals.”
Museveni’s allegations and regional tension
In a radio talk show on Saturday evening, President Museveni confirmed the detention and gave his version of events, accusing the Kenyans of working with the opposition to incite unrest.
“We got two Kenyans whom we arrested. They have been with us, I have their names…But I don’t remember them. They came, and they were working with Kyagulanyi’s group. They are experts in riots,” said Museveni. He added: “Here we have very good intelligence…we know them.”
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The incident involving Njagi and Oyoo follows a pattern of regional concern among human rights defenders.
Previously, Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan activist Agatha Atuhairwe were detained in Tanzania after traveling there to observe treason charges against opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
Human rights groups and civil society organizations continue to express profound concern about the safety and treatment of activists across the region.
