Amnesty calls on Kenya, Tanzania to act following activist Mwabili Mwagodi's disappearance

Amnesty International is calling for urgent action from the governments of Kenya and Tanzania following the reported abduction of activist Mwabili Mwagodi, who disappeared in Tanzania on July 23 after allegedly being arrested by unidentified individuals.

Mwagodi, known for his vocal criticism of political interference in religious institutions, has not been seen since, raising alarm over what Amnesty describes as a growing pattern of cross-border repression against activists in East Africa.

In a statement, Amnesty International demanded that authorities in both countries immediately disclose Mwagodi’s whereabouts, guarantee his safety, and launch an independent and transparent investigation into the circumstances of his disappearance.

“Mwabili Mwagodi’s activism is not a crime. His disappearance, however, is,” said Irungu Houghton, Executive Director of Amnesty International Kenya. “This grave violation of human rights must be addressed with urgency and accountability.”

Isabella Kituri, Mwagodi’s sister, said the pain of not knowing where her brother is, or what might have happened to him, is unbearable.

With growing fear and unanswered questions, the family is pleading with the Kenyan and Tanzanian governments to intervene and help trace his whereabouts urgently.

Mwagodi, known for his activism and vocal criticism of President William Ruto’s fundraising drives in churches, was reportedly abducted by unidentified individuals while en route to Dar es Salaam.

According to Kituri, all efforts to find him have proved futile. “Mwagodi served a just cause to defend the integrity of the church. He was simply fulfilling his civic duty as a Kenyan,” said an emotional Kituri on Friday.

“If there is anything that he did, he should simply be produced before the legal justice system,” she added.

The family’s concerns were echoed by Vocal Africa Chief Executive Officer Hussein Khalid, who confirmed the alleged abduction. Hussein said he received the distressing news from one of Mwagodi ’s family members.

“A Kenyan has been abducted in Tanzania, again. The family has confirmed that Mwabili Mwagodi, who is a Kenyan activist and was vocal against church donations, was abducted in Tanzania on Wednesday,” Hussein stated.

According to Mwagodi’s wife, the activist went missing at around 10 pm on Wednesday, July 23, while travelling to Dar es Salaam.

She explained that Mwabili had left his car behind and opted to use public transport to the city, where he works for a hospitality company.

However, during the journey, his phone was switched off, and repeated attempts to contact him failed, deepening fears of a possible abduction.

Mwagodi’s disappearance adds to a growing list of Kenyan activists who have faced trouble in Tanzania.

“This incident follows a disturbing pattern of cross-border repression of activists in East Africa,” Amnesty stated, citing similar recent cases involving Kenyan photojournalist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan journalist Agather Atuhaire, who were also allegedly abducted and mistreated while in Tanzania. Their case is currently before the East African Court of Justice.