A Tanzanian activist was released after being ‘kidnapped’ in the capital of Kenya

A prominent Tanzanian activist was “kidnapped” by three armed men on the streets of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, on Sunday. Her spouse has claimed that Tanzania’s national intelligence service is responsible for her release.

Amnesty International reported that Maria Sarungi Tsehai, a human rights defender who was critical of Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, was abducted by three armed men and carried into a black vehicle in the Kilimani neighborhood on Sunday afternoon.

Sarungi Tsehai wrote on X several hours later, “I am now safe, many thanks to everyone.”

Her brief detention occurs amid allegations that the governments of Tanzania and Kenya have abducted critics.

David Tsehai, the spouse of Sarungi Tsehai, stated that the couple sought refuge in Nairobi four years ago after fleeing Tanzania.

In a video recording that was shared by the Law Society of Kenya late on Sunday, he stated, “It was the scariest moment of my life.”

“There is no doubt in my mind (it is) the thugs of the Tanzania Information and Security Services (TISS) who are behind this.”

Reuters’ request for comment was not promptly addressed by representatives of Tanzania’s government and TISS. A request for comment was also not responded to by Kenya’s police spokesperson.

Rights groups contend that the government targets opponents in the lead-up to national elections anticipated later this year. As a result, President Hassan ordered an investigation into the abductions that occurred last year, during which numerous government critics were abducted and either wounded or murdered by unknown individuals.

According to Roland Ebole, a researcher at Amnesty International, Sarungi Tsehai’s abduction is yet another instance of “transnational repression that is occurring on Kenyan soil.” Kenyan authorities have denied these allegations.

In November, a Ugandan opposition figure was abducted in Nairobi and forcibly returned to Kampala, where he is currently being tried in a military court.