Kenyan activists Nicholas Oyoo (left) and Bob Njagi address the media at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi on November 8, 2025, following their return home from Uganda where they had been detained.
Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, the two Kenyans activists who were held in detention in Uganda for 38 days fell ill and spent a week a military hospital, it can be revealed.
Upon discharge from the hospital, the duo were taken to a safe house where they stayed for three days before being moved on Thursday ahead of their release on Friday night.
Upon their arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Saturday afternoon, Mr Njagi and Mr Oyoo said that they would go for medical check-up before revealing the extent of their ordeal.
Kenyan activists Nicholas Oyoo (left) and Bob Njagi address the media at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi on November 8, 2025, following their return home from Uganda where they had been detained.
According to Norbert Ochieng, the elder brother of Mr Oyoo, the two families had been informed several days earlier that there was a likelihood their kin would be released, although no specific date had been given.
At that point, their hopes were high, but there was little they could do since they had neither seen nor heard from their loved ones.
“We were informed that Njagi and Oyoo were not in good health and had been taken to a military hospital for a week to recuperate and regain their strength. After that, they spent another three days in a safe house,” Mr Ochieng said.
This period coincided with the last press briefing held by activists at Amnesty International Kenya offices, during which human rights defenders raised alarm over the deteriorating health condition of their colleagues believed to be held at a Ugandan military base.
Come last Thursday, the information the families had received from their undisclosed sources proved true when they were informed that the duo had indeed been released and that arrangements for their repatriation were underway.
Kenyan activist Bob Njagi (second right) is received with family members and friends at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi on November 8, 2025, following their return home from Uganda where they had been detained.
According to Mr Ochieng, it was also on this very day that the Heads of State of both Kenya and Uganda held discussions regarding the issue of the abducted activists.
“On Thursday night, the two were taken by the Ugandan military to the Kenyan High Commission in Kampala. The next day, they were escorted by Ambassador Joash Maangi and the military attaché at the High Commission to the Busia border, where they were handed over to the Busia County Commissioner,” he said.
It was at this point that Mr Njagi and Mr Oyoo contacted their families, who had been anxiously awaiting their calls. Through civil society networks, arrangements had already been made for their transportation to Kisumu and later for their flight to Nairobi.
When asked whether former President Uhuru Kenyatta had intervened as some people had claimed, Mr Ochieng downplayed the matter.
“Many things were happening behind the scenes, and we are just grateful to everyone who helped ensure Oyoo and Njagi’s safe return,” Mr Ochieng said.
“I am a pastor, and together with a group of believers, we have been praying and had faith that the two would return safely. Indeed, we have witnessed a breakthrough. They are now in a safe house where they are being assessed and, after the process is complete, they will reunite with their families. We are very happy to have them back home,” he said.
