A fresh case of disappearance involving a Kenyan activist has emerged from Tanzania, just months after the controversial detention of six other Kenyan campaigners, among them renowned activist Boniface Mwangi.
Mwabili Mwagodi, who has been active in both Kenya and Tanzania, is the latest to be reported missing.
Vocal Africa’s CEO, Hussein Khalid, confirmed on Friday that Mwagodi vanished on the evening of Wednesday, July 21, under unclear circumstances in Tanzania. According to Khalid, a family member raised the alarm after losing contact with Mwagodi, prompting fears of an abduction.
Mwagodi has spent considerable time in Tanzania in recent months, where he had relocated partially for work. His wife stated that he was last seen around 10 PM while en route to Dar es Salaam. Notably, he chose to leave his vehicle behind and took public transportation, a decision that preceded the sudden loss of contact when his phone went off unexpectedly.
The activist is reportedly employed by a hospitality company in the Tanzanian capital and despite efforts by his wife to reach him, all communication attempts failed, deepening concerns about his safety and wellbeing.
The news of his disappearance has spread like wildfire with Kenyans on X condemning the alleged abduction and calling for his release using the trending hashtag #FreeMwabiliMwagodi
Mwagodi’s activism dates back to his days as a hotelier in Mombasa and he is known for his outspoken stance against political donations to religious institutions, had been spearheading a movement called Occupy the Church, aimed at exposing clergy who accept contributions from politicians.
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His sudden disappearance has raised renewed alarm over the safety of Kenyan activists operating beyond the country’s borders, and it highlights the growing regional tensions surrounding political dissent and civil liberties.
