Kenyans on X respond as activist Mwabili Mwagodi is reported missing in Tanzania
Only months after six other Kenyan activists, including well-known activist Boniface Mwangi, were controversially detained, a new case of disappearance involving a Kenyan activist has surfaced from Tanzania.
Recently, Mwabili Mwagodi, who has been active in Tanzania and Kenya, has been reported missing.
On Friday, Vocal Africa CEO Hussein Khalid revealed that Mwagodi disappeared in Tanzania on the evening of Wednesday, July 21, for unknown reasons. Khalid claims there were concerns of an abduction after a family member sounded the alarm after losing communication with Mwagodi.
In recent months, Mwagodi has spend a lot of time in Tanzania, where he moved in part for job. He was last spotted on his way to Dar es Salaam at around 10 PM, according to his wife. Most notably, he decided to forgo his car and use public transit instead, which was the decision that came before his phone abruptly died.
Concerns for the activist’s safety and well-being have grown after his wife’s attempts to contact him failed. The activist is apparently employed by a hospitality company in the Tanzanian capital.
With Kenyans on X denouncing the purported kidnapping and demanding his return with the popular hashtag #FreeMwabiliMwagodi, the news of his disappearance has gone viral.
Mwagodi began his activism as a hotelier in Mombasa and is well-known for his vocal opposition to political donations to places of worship. He has been leading a campaign dubbed Occupy the Church to expose clergy members who take money from politicians.
His abrupt abduction has sparked new concerns about the safety of Kenyan activists working outside the nation’s boundaries and brought attention to the escalating regional conflicts over civil liberties and political dissent.
