Mwabili Mwagodi: Activist Claims DCI Turned Away Family of Kenyan Allegedly Abducted in Tanzania
- The family of activist Mwabili Mwagodi was relieved after their kin was found in Diani after days of searching
- Vocal Africa chief executive officer, Hussein Khalid, claimed that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) turned Mwagodi's family away during the search for their kin
- Khalid explained the reasons why the DCI could not assist the activist's family when they went to seek their help
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Faith Chandianya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and Current Affairs in Kenya
The family of the vocal activist Mwabili Mwagodi lived in distress following the alleged abduction of their kin.
Source: Twitter
The vocal activist was captured by unknown individuals on Wednesday, July 23, in Dar es Salaam, according to eyewitnesses.
In a bid to trace Mwagodi's whereabouts, the family of the activist went tirelessly seeking clarity. They sought help from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
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Why couldn't DCI help Mwagodi's family?
However, the DCI stated that it is under jurisdictional limitations and thus couldn't be able to take up the case.
The chief executive officer of Vocal Africa and human rights defender, Hussein Khalid, narrated how events unfolded when Mwagodi's family went to DCI on Saturday, July 26.
" So the DCI refused to take up Mwabili’s matter, citing that the matter does not fall within their jurisdiction. Besides the DCI, we have also reported the matter to the police and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” Khalid claimed.
"This is very shocking to us. Our demand is to the Tanzanian authorities, who must make sure that Mwagodi has legal representation as well as access to his family," he added
Has activist Mwabili been found?
After a four-day-long search, Mwagodi's family can now heave a sigh of relief after their kin was found in the Kinondo area of Diani, Mombasa county.
Mwagodi's disappearance sparked widespread uproar across Kenya, with many calling for the government to provide leads on his whereabouts.
Source: Twitter
According to the family, Mwagodi was found at around 3 am after he was dumped in a bush. He walked three kilometres to Diani, where he was able to contact his family.
All his personal items had been stolen during the period when he was allegedly abducted.
Was Mwagodi almost arrested?
Following his arrival in Diani, Mwagodi presented himself to the local police station, where he was almost detained.
It took the efforts of human rights defenders like Khalid for the activist to be set free. He was later taken to the Pandya Hospital in Mombasa, where a medical assessment was carried out on him.
Mwagodi is expected to be flown to Nairobi for further care and to be reunited with his family, who have been worried about him for days.
The activist stated that he could not disclose much about his experience in the hands of his alleged abductors. However, he alleged he was tortured by both Kenyan and Tanzanian abductors.
He gained public attention due to his vocal criticism of President William Ruto's exorbitant church donations.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
