Is Kenya a colony of Uganda? I am asking this due to the recent events in Kenya involving a Ugandan citizen and Ugandan soldiers operating on Kenyan soil. This has raised disturbing questions about the regime, as it is one thing to have a close working relationship with a neighboring country and quite another to have security personnel from that foreign nation behave as if they are Kenyans on Kenyan soil. How does this happen?
Indeed, it has become a major controversy—a storm among patriotic Kenyans who are asking question after question, yet there has been no response from the government. None at all, at least by the time I began recording this. What has unfolded here is completely unheard of. Perhaps it has happened in the past, but if it did, it remained a secret. Therefore, I am accurate in saying this is unprecedented.
Let us delve deeper into this issue to clarify some points that may not be clear to everyone. Intelligence services from different countries typically work together; this is normal and to be expected. It would be very difficult for them to fulfill their mandates without close cooperation with foreign intelligence services, and this occurs all over the world.
In the 1980s, there was an assassination attempt on a Rwandan national in Kenya, which I believe took place somewhere along Luthuli Avenue. Let us examine that closely to better understand the dynamics. Sometimes, a foreign intelligence service can inform the host intelligence service of their intentions or actions, and they may receive the go-ahead to proceed. However, what I have never heard of, and you need to correct me if I’m wrong, is a foreign security service coordinating with the host country to organize an abduction.
That is precisely what occurred in the case of Kizza Besigye, an opposition leader in Uganda. Besigye is a veteran opposition figure who has long fought against the dictatorial regime of Yoweri Museveni. Surprisingly, not only was he abducted on Kenyan soil, but he was also transported all the way to the Busia border. The borders of a country are monitored by that country’s security personnel, and these individuals crossed the border, clearing Kenyan immigration and security. They then entered Uganda, where Besigye was reportedly taken to a military barracks and presented before a court martial.
How does this happen unless Kenya is a province or colony of Uganda? How else could it occur? I understand the anger and disbelief that has swept across the nation regarding this incident, especially as it comes at a time when we face our own internal issues tied to the government’s mismanagement and lack of direction.
It is important to remember that Uganda is an independent African nation, distinct from Kenya. Kenyans should refrain from interfering in Uganda's internal affairs. However, we must analyze what prompted this desperate move by our neighbors to abduct a man named Besigye right in the heart of Nairobi. In recent days, I am sure other countries have been laughing at Kenya, viewing it as a laughing stock. They must be wondering about the situation in this "banana republic," where foreigners can come in, do as they please, and leave without consequences. This perception raises serious questions about the competence of the Kenyan government.
Kenyans deserve to know why such a desperate action was taken, as it is instructive and will help us understand our situation in Kenya better. Now, let’s reflect on the year 2018 and the challenges faced by the young opposition leader, Bobi Wine, in Uganda. He was arrested and brutally tortured on orders from President Museveni. Do you remember who was the President of the United States at that time? It was Donald Trump. Fast forward to today: the same man who is now President-elect is set to take office in January 2025.
Is there a potential link? I believe so. It's more than just Donald Trump's foreign policy regarding Africa; the supporters who helped Museveni gain power and those who defended his poor human rights record are not in the Trump camp. Therefore, Museveni is racing against time, needing to deal with his political opponents decisively before January 20, 2025, while his supporters still have some power and sway in Washington.
Now, you understand why President Museveni may feel desperate enough to carry out such a move as abducting a Ugandan national on foreign soil. This situation is especially relevant for those who dismissed my earlier analysis of the impact a Trump presidency would have on Kenya and Africa.
It should also shed light on the mindset of the Kenyan regime, which has received support from the same individuals backing Museveni. We must remember that Museveni has been Ruto’s mentor. Last year, there appeared to be a significant falling out over oil prices, as the Kenyan government tried to include Uganda in their government-to-government deal for purchasing petroleum products directly from Dubai. Museveni refused, stating that by the time the fuel arrived in Uganda, it was prohibitively expensive for Ugandans. He even revealed that his problem with Kenya was that petrol transactions were being handled by middlemen instead of the government.
Despite their fallout, it is clear that Museveni and Ruto remain close allies. With the recent developments on the world stage, it makes sense for them to come together to navigate what is ahead. This abduction of a Ugandan national on Kenyan soil begins to clarify how this shocking development occurred and why. However, I am not making excuses for the Kenyan government. There can never be an excuse for such actions.
It is evident that what Museveni did on Kenyan soil was carried out with the Kenyan government’s permission. How else could they have crossed the border? How could such an operation have been executed without interference from our security forces? It is possible they even received assistance from the Kenyan government. Besigye did not even have his passport on him.
There are numerous problems with this, including legal issues. How did the Kenyan government allow a foreign state to undertake such an operation on Kenyan territory? What law permitted this to happen? You can feel powerful enough to take such actions, but it is wise to remember that these things can have consequences down the line. You will not remain president forever, and even if you were to attain a life presidency, you will not live indefinitely. The repercussions of these events may fall on those who carried out your orders long after you are gone.
This is a crucial point to consider, as history shows that individuals have sometimes sought to distance themselves from their associates when faced with dire consequences. It is essential to examine these factors carefully. Even if it were true that Besigye was plotting to overthrow Museveni, he should have been apprehended by Kenyan security and then handed over to Ugandan authorities. For Ugandans to enter Kenya and execute the operation themselves, crossing the border back to Uganda, is unacceptable.
Kenyans have been demanding an explanation that has yet to be given. The government has been slow to act on what is a serious matter. When something is serious, a swift response is warranted. You can at least issue a statement indicating that you are taking the matter seriously. The silence about the truth, we are witnessing is too much. I don’t believe we will receive a satisfactory explanation, even if one is provided.
