Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has warned that Kenya is becoming increasingly unsafe for foreigners, citing a pattern of cross-border abductions, forced deportations, and alleged transnational repression under the Ruto administration. Gachagua called on foreign embassies and diplomatic missions to take steps to protect their citizens and staff, arguing that the alleged incidents have raised serious concerns about the safety of foreigners in the country. He stated that no one in Kenya is safe, including foreigners, investors, and citizens.
Gachagua presented several cases to support his claims, including the alleged forced return of 36 Ugandan opposition supporters to Uganda on July 24, 2024, following a joint Kenyan-Ugandan security operation. He also cited the October2024 abduction of seven Turkish asylum seekers in Nairobi, which resulted in the forced deportation of four to Turkey in a joint security operation. This incident attracted condemnation from the UN refugee agency and human rights organizations.
Additionally, Gachagua pointed to the November2024 abduction of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye while he was visiting Nairobi, as well as the near-abduction of Tanzanian journalist and human rights activist Maria Sarungi in January2025. He also alleged that Zimbabwean constitutional lawyer and human rights defender Brian Kagoro was detained and deported from Kenya in February2026 after being intercepted by immigration and National Intelligence Service officers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Gachagua's warning comes as he seeks to portray the Ruto administration's record on security and human rights as a departure from its 2022 campaign promise to build a secure, just, and democratic Kenya. He accused the government of failing to protect constitutional freedoms and allowing security agencies to operate outside the law. The former Deputy President's report also cited alleged abductions of Kenyan citizens and activists, which he claims have reinforced his argument that Kenya's security environment has deteriorated under Ruto.
The government has not responded to Gachagua's latest allegations. As a result, foreign governments are being urged to pay closer attention to the security of their nationals living, working, or traveling in Kenya. Gachagua's warning has significant implications for Kenya's reputation as a safe and secure destination for foreigners, and it remains to be seen how the government will respond to these allegations and address the concerns raised by the former Deputy President.
