Concerns are growing after yet another Kenyan activist, Mwabili Mwagodi, was reportedly abducted in Tanzania—just weeks after a similar incident involving six other Kenyan activists, among them the outspoken Boniface Mwangi.
On the morning of Friday, July 25, Hussein Khalid, CEO of Vocal Africa, confirmed the troubling news. According to Khalid, Mwagodi was allegedly kidnapped on the night of Wednesday, July 21, by unknown individuals in Tanzania.
Mwagodi had recently been residing between Kenya and Tanzania and had become increasingly vocal about what he called the unethical practice of churches accepting donations from politicians. He had even launched a bold initiative called “Occupy the Church,” which aimed to expose and challenge corrupt religious leaders.
Khalid revealed that he was informed about the suspected abduction by a concerned family member who had lost contact with Mwagodi. The activist’s disappearance has sparked alarm, especially among human rights defenders, as it adds to a growing pattern of Kenyan activists facing threats and detentions across the border.
“It’s happened again. Another Kenyan has been abducted in Tanzania. The family of Mwabili Mwagodi, known for challenging political church donations, has confirmed he disappeared on Wednesday,” Khalid said in a strongly worded statement.
“It looks like President Samia Suluhu’s administration is on a mission to clamp down on Kenyan activists without any legal justification. This must stop. #FreeMwabiliMwagodi.”
Mwabili’s wife also spoke out about the ordeal, disclosing that her husband vanished around 10 p.m. on Wednesday while en route to Dar es Salaam. He had left his personal vehicle behind and decided to take public transport for the journey.
Mysteriously, his phone went off during the trip, and all attempts to contact him since have failed, prompting fears of an abduction.
Before moving to Tanzania, Mwagodi worked as a hotelier in Mombasa, where he began his campaign against preachers who welcome political donations and leaders into their churches. His fearless activism gained traction, and he later extended his advocacy to Tanzania.
Just like his fellow detained activists, Mwagodi has been a vocal critic of President William Ruto’s government. In 2024, he made headlines when he journeyed from Mombasa to Nyahururu to mobilize youth in protest against the now-defunct Finance Bill 2024.
This incident adds to mounting tensions and raises urgent questions about the safety of Kenyan civil society members operating in East Africa. Human rights groups are now demanding immediate action to ensure Mwagodi’s safe return and to hold those responsible accountable.
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