Mwabili Mwagodi: Activist Who Was Allegedly Abducted in Tanzania Found Dumped in Diani
- Activist Mwabili Mwagodi has been found after days of searching following his alleged abduction in Tanzania
- Human rights activist Hussein Khalid issued detailed information regarding his condition and the steps that would follow after first aid in Mombasa
- A video showed Mwagodi looking visibly stressed and relieved upon meeting the rescuers who rushed him to a medical facility
Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.
Relief and anguish gripped friends and family on Sunday, July 27, after activist Mwabili Mwagodi, who had been missing for four days, was found dumped in the Kinondo area of Diani, Mombasa county.
Source: Twitter
Mwagodi, a vocal human rights activist known for criticising President William Ruto’s hefty church donations, was reportedly abducted in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Wednesday, July 23.
His disappearance triggered widespread uproar across Kenya, with claims emerging that Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers were seeking him.
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What happened after Mwabili Mwagodu was released?
According to his family, Mwagodi was found at around 3am after being dumped in a bush in Kinondo.
He reportedly walked approximately three kilometres to Diani, where he contacted his relatives. His personal belongings had been stolen during the ordeal.
Hussein Khalid, a human rights lawyer and CEO of VOCAL Africa, confirmed Mwagodi's rescue and medical condition.
“Mwagodi has been released and is now with our officers from VOCAL Africa and MUHURI in Mombasa. He was found in a bush in Kinondo around 3am and managed to reach Diani, where he contacted his family. We dispatched officers immediately,” Khalid said.
Upon arriving in Diani, Mwagodi voluntarily reported to the local police station.
Source: Twitter
Did police threaten to detain Mwabili Mwagodu?
However, according to a video shared by Khalid, the police attempted to detain him, prompting immediate intervention from human rights officials, who secured his release.
"Don't touch me, please leave me alone. I’ve been abducted, harassed, and mentally tortured for four days. Now you want to abduct me again. Don’t touch me—I won’t get into your pickup alone, only for you to treat me like Albert Ojwang," he said, as an official directed that he be handed over to Nairobi police for his safety.
Mwagodi was later taken to Pandya Hospital in Mombasa for a medical check-up. He is expected to be flown to Nairobi for further care and to reunite with his family.
Mwagodi, who said he could not talk, was reportedly tortured by both the security agents in Tanzania and Kenya.
What did Human rights groups demand over Mwabili's abduction?
Meanwhile, human rights groups issued four demands to the Kenyan and Tanzanian governments following the alleged abduction of activist Mwagodi.
They urged both governments to reveal the whereabouts of the activist and guarantee his safety.
They also called for an independent investigation into Mwagodi’s disappearance.
The groups demanded an end to the harassment of human rights defenders across East Africa.
Lastly, they urged full respect for freedoms of expression, movement, and the right to protest.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
