Kenya: Opposition leader deported March 29 /update 1

Event

Opposition leader Miguna Miguna announced on Thursday, March 29, that Kenyan authorities had deported him to Dubai (UAE). According to Miguna, unidentified individuals assaulted him at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi before drugging him and forcefully putting him on a plane. Protests by opposition supporters in support of Miguna are possible in the coming days, particularly in Kisumu and Nairobi.

Context

Miguna was detained at NBO on March 26 while attempting to return to Kenya from Canada. Violent protests broke out in Kisumu on March 28, which disrupted traffic along major roads. Miguna had been deported to Canada in February after he was found to have failed to follow administrative procedures after receiving Canadian citizenship several years ago; however, his deportation also came amid a crackdown on opposition politicians who had taken part in a symbolic “inauguration” of opposition leader Raila Odinga after the latter lost last year’s presidential election to incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta. Following Miguna’s return to Kenyan territory and detention in the airport, a judge ordered that he be released from custody and directed him to appear in court on the morning of March 28; however, Miguna posted a statement on social media that he was still being detained as of March 28.

This current standoff comes after Kenya experienced several months of political crisis surrounding the 2017 presidential elections. Incumbent President Kenyatta was initially declared the victor of the August 8 election, garnering 54 percent of the vote.  However, in early September, the Supreme Court officially invalidated the vote due to "irregularities." A rerun election was held in October, but was boycotted by opposition candidate Raila Odinga, who claimed the vote would not be fair. President Kenyatta won reelection with 98 percent of the vote, but with only 39 percent voter turnout. These months of political instability in Kenya were accompanied by violent protests staged by both government and opposition supporters.

Advice

Individuals in Kenya, particularly in Nairobi and Kisumu, are advised to avoid all public gatherings (especially political events) due to the risk of violence and to monitor the situation.