Kenyan blogger and podcaster James Murua has issued a desperate appeal to the Kenyan government and the African Union after his wife, celebrated author Zukiswa Wanner, was abducted by the Israeli military.
The incident occurred on Thursday, October 2, at 4:00 am, when the Israeli military intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla, a convoy of more than 40 boats carrying food and medicine to Gaza. Over 450 international activists were taken captive, including Wanner, who was traveling as part of a South African humanitarian delegation.
In a statement, Murua expressed deep concern over his wife’s safety, citing Israel’s track record of targeting activists.
“In any other situation, I wouldn’t be worried about the safety of my partner, but the Israelis have shown singular cruelty to anyone who stands in the way of their mission,” he said.
Murua described Wanner as a lifelong advocate for the Palestinian cause, with political roots in the African National Congress (ANC) during her childhood in exile in Zambia and Zimbabwe. He highlighted her unwavering conviction, noting her decision in 2024 to return the Goethe Medal—an honor from the German government—in protest of Berlin’s stance on Gaza and its silencing of critical artistic voices.
The journalist further appealed to activists and human rights defenders across the world:
“There is an ongoing genocide – this is the time for all of us to stand up for Palestine. And our son, Jama, needs his mother back home.”
The abduction comes against the backdrop of the Israel–Palestine conflict, which escalated dramatically in October 2023 after Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel. In retaliation, Israel launched a large-scale military campaign in Gaza, resulting in tens of thousands of civilian deaths, mass displacement, and humanitarian crises.
Murua’s plea adds to growing calls for international intervention to secure the release of detained activists and to push for a resolution to the ongoing conflict.
