He had to go! Mudavadi defends Kenya’s role in Besigye arrest

Kenya has defended its role in the arrest and return of Ugandan opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, with Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi saying the reason for Besigye’s presence in the country was unclear from the beginning.

Speaking on Citizen TV’s The Explainer show, Mudavadi said Besigye’s stay in Kenya became diplomatically sensitive as issues unfolded.

"He came here, and there were issues, and he had to go," Mudavadi said.

"I think the manner in which he had come to Kenya were (sic) not quite clear, and at that time, him being here, and of course, certain issues were beginning to evolve… I would rather leave it at that, because he’s now in the custody of his nation and his authorities."

Mudavadi explained that Kenya’s decision to work with Ugandan authorities was based on national interest and the need to maintain strong ties with its neighbors.

"We always look at national interest. We have to partner with our East African States, and sometimes we have to manage those relations very carefully for the broader national interest," he said.

The Foreign Affairs Chief noted that Besigye did not formally seek asylum in Kenya, which may have affected how the government handled the situation.

"Had he said that he was seeking asylum, maybe the treatment would’ve been different," Mudavadi remarked.

Highlighting the economic links between Kenya and Uganda, Mudavadi pointed out that the countries depend on each other for trade and jobs.

"Uganda is Kenya’s trading partner; a lot of lives and jobs are dependent on that relationship," he said.

"What would happen to the Kenyan economy if there were no more trade between Kenya and Uganda?"

Besigye, a vocal critic of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, was arrested in Kenya in November 2024 and returned to Uganda under circumstances that sparked criticism from activists and opposition supporters.

The Kenyan government has maintained that it acted in line with diplomatic duties and national priorities, a stance Mudavadi reinforced during the interview.

In February, 68-year-old Besigye was charged with treason by a Ugandan court. Despite his poor health following a hunger strike, his requests to be moved to a hospital were denied.