A Kenyan activist working in Tanzania has allegedly been abducted, sparking concerns over the safety of regional human rights defenders. The activist, Mwabili Mwagodi, reportedly disappeared while in Tanzania, with efforts to file a missing person’s report initially turned down by local authorities. Police cited the need to wait 24 hours before formally accepting the report.
Family members and colleagues have confirmed the disappearance, noting that Mwagodi was vocal in his opposition to church fundraising campaigns, which had drawn public attention and controversy. His disappearance has raised suspicions of politically motivated targeting, particularly of foreign activists operating in Tanzania.
This incident adds to a growing list of similar cases in the region. In June, prominent Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan journalist Agather Atuhaire were abducted in Tanzania while offering support to Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu. Both individuals were reported missing for several days before being found near border regions, showing signs of mistreatment and trauma.
Mwangi was discovered unconscious in Ukunda, near the Kenya-Tanzania border, while Atuhaire was located at the Tanzania-Uganda border, reportedly bearing signs of torture. Following these incidents, the pair lodged a legal case at the East African Court of Justice on July 18, seeking accountability from multiple governments within the East African Community. The suit implicates Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and the EAC secretary general in what they describe as gross violations of human rights.
According to the court petition, the duo was detained at the Immigration Department and a police station before being moved to unknown locations. They allege experiencing inhumane treatment, including physical and sexual abuse, before being abandoned at their respective national borders without due process or explanation.
The recurrence of such cases has heightened fears of cross-border suppression of dissenting voices and shrinking civic space in East Africa. Regional civil society organizations are now calling for immediate investigations and protection for activists operating across borders. As attention turns to the East African Court, many await its response as a test of the region’s commitment to justice, accountability, and human rights protections.
