Nelson Havi explains who should be appreciated for Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo’s release
By Joel Masibo, November 8, 2025Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi has welcomed the release of activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, linking their long-awaited freedom to the collective efforts by the Kenyan citizens and the governments of Kenya and Uganda.
Taking to his X account on Saturday, November 8, 2025, Havi insisted that it is the people who have the sovereign power, weeks after human rights defenders put pressure on Ugandan authorities to release the two who were abducted on Wednesday, September 1, 2025, in Kampala, Uganda, by unknown men.
Sovereign power
”First, we thank ourselves as Kenyans for successfully demanding the release of Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo. Second, we thank the Government of Kenya for heeding the call to protect its citizens. Third, we thank the Government of Uganda for doing the right thing. The people are the sovereign,” Nelson Havi said.
Havis’ declaration followed the Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi’s gratitude to Uganda after the safe release of Njagi and Oyoo that occurred on Friday night, November 7, 2025.
In a statement shared on his social media pages on Saturday, November 8, 2025, the Prime CS thanked the Ugandan authorities for freeing the two after 39 days in abduction shortly after Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei confirmed their freedom.
Mudavadi further linked the development to a series of communications between the two states’ representatives in trying to find a way to resolve the long-standing stalemate that had sparked fury among local, regional and international human rights defenders.
”Following sustained diplomatic engagement between Kenya and Uganda, including a formal letter I personally addressed to Hon. Gen. Odongo Jeje Abubakhar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda, both governments maintained open and constructive communication that has culminated in the safe release of our nationals. Late last night, the two were released to our High Commissioner in Uganda, H.E. Maangi Joash,” the statement added.
Show of gratitude
According to the particular statement, Njagi and Oyoo were escorted by the Ambassador and officials of the Ugandan Government to the Busia border town on Friday night, where they were received by the Busia County Commissioner, Chaunga Mwachaunga.
”The Government of Kenya expresses its deep appreciation to the Government of Uganda for the cooperation extended throughout this process and to our diplomatic team in Kampala for their vigilance, commitment, and professionalism,” Mudavadi continued.
Musalia Mudavadi has further revealed that arrangements have been finalised to ensure the two Kenyans reunite safely with their families. The Prime CS has insisted that the safety of Kenyan citizens remains the government’s top priority, urging Kenyans working and living abroad to maintain regular contact with Kenyan embassies in the respective foreign countries.