Activist Mwabili Mwagodi Allegedly Arrested and Detained at Lunga Lunga Border
Kenyan activist Mwabili Mwagodi has reportedly been arrested and is currently being held at Lunga Lunga Police Station after allegedly being stopped from leaving the country on Sunday, February 15.
According to statements he shared publicly, the incident happened as he attempted to cross into Dar es Salaam, where he was travelling at the time.
In a message posted on his official X account on Monday, the activist claimed that immigration officials prevented him from exiting Kenya after a Red Notice alert appeared against his passport.
He stated that the alert was allegedly issued earlier in 2025 by an officer attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), specifically from the Serious Crimes Unit based at Mazingira House along Kiambu Road.
Mwagodi explained that he was informed the notice had resulted in a warrant of arrest being placed against him. However, he claimed that no clear explanation was provided regarding the offence he is alleged to have committed or the charges he might face.
According to his account, immigration officers at the border denied him clearance to leave the country and later handed him over to DCI officers stationed at the border police post.
He further stated that officers at the station told him they were awaiting further instructions from DCI headquarters on how to proceed with his case.
The activist said that on the morning of February 16, senior officers, including the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) and a DCI officer, visited him in custody and informed him that they were still waiting for guidance from officers based at Mazingira House regarding the reason for his detention and the next course of action.
Efforts by Newshub.co.ke to reach the DCI for comment or to independently confirm the claims had not been successful by the time of publication.
Authorities had not issued an official statement explaining the circumstances surrounding the alleged arrest or the existence of the reported Red Notice.
The latest development comes months after a previous incident involving the activist raised concern among human rights groups and his family. In July 2025, Mwagodi was reportedly abducted in Tanzania while working for a hospitality company.
He disappeared for several days after reportedly leaving for Dar es Salaam using public transport at around 10pm on Wednesday, July 23. His phone went off during the journey, and repeated attempts by his wife and relatives to reach him were unsuccessful, raising alarm about his safety.
When his family later sought assistance from Kenyan authorities, the DCI reportedly declined to intervene, citing jurisdictional limitations because the incident had occurred outside Kenya.
Human rights activist Hussein Khalid, who serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Vocal Africa, accompanied the family to DCI offices and confirmed that the agency stated it could not handle a case that had taken place beyond Kenyan borders.
The family also reported the matter to local police and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in an effort to seek diplomatic assistance. After four days of uncertainty, Mwagodi was eventually found abandoned in Kinondo, located in Kwale County, on July 27, 2025.
His sudden reappearance ended days of anxiety for his family but left unanswered questions about the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
The current situation has once again drawn public attention, with supporters calling for clarity from authorities regarding the allegations, the legal basis of his detention, and whether any formal charges will be brought against him.
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