Besigye Held Up at Nairobi Airport as He Backs Kenyan Protesters

Ugandan opposition kingpin Col Dr Kizza Besigye was among the people stranded yesterday at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in neighboring Kenya, while the capital Nairobi was rocked with violent antigovernmental protests.

It was not clear yet what Dr Besigye’s business was in Nairobi, but he was caught in a lengthy hold-up at the airport with hundreds of other passengers upon arrival.

Another Ugandan passenger, John Tumwebaze confirmed being stuck in a queue with Besigye at the airport as they chatted about the ongoing riots.

Tumwebaze said the wait lasted at least one hour.

“On a lighter note I had a chat with ⁦(Dr Besigye) ⁩ and when I asked him where he was going he jokingly replied that he was going to Nairobi to join the protest,” he said.

It was not clear yet whether the civil action in the city disrupted the service at the airport.

Taking to social media this morning, Dr Besigye expressed support to the young Kenyans who took a costly stand against their government over controversial new tax proposals

“I am in Nairobi and my heart goes out to all the Kenyans who’ve lost their lives and those injured as they protest against taxes imposed on them,” Besigye posted.

“I am proud of all, especially, the young Gen Z, protesters that are valiantly facing guns and other lethal weapons demanding justice! Freedom & Justice come at a price, which we have to pay- sooner or later.”

At least 13 people were yesterday shot dead in the riots as protesters stormed the Kenyan parliament and set part of it ablaze.

An angry crowd broke through police lines to storm parliament in the capital Nairobi before setting parts of it ablaze.