Vanished in the Night: Fears Grow After Kenyan Activist Mwabili Mwagodi Disappears in Tanzania

The family of Kenyan human rights activist Mwabili Mwagodi is calling for urgent answers after he mysteriously disappeared in Tanzania. The family believes he was abducted by unknown people while traveling for work in Dar es Salaam. 

Mwabili’s sister, Isabella Kituri, spoke to the media, clearly emotional and worried. She said her brother vanished without any trace and that all attempts to find him had failed. 

Isabella fears the worst because Mwabili was openly critical of President William Ruto, especially his church fundraising activities. Mwabili also used his social media platforms to mobilize Gen Z youth across East Africa, calling for accountability and justice. 

“Mwabili served a just cause to defend the integrity of the church,” Isabella said. “He was doing his civic duty as a Kenyan citizen. If he did anything wrong, he should be brought before the law, not disappeared.” 

According to Vocal Africa, a human rights group based in Nairobi, Mwabili’s case is deeply troubling. The organization’s CEO, Hussein Khalid, confirmed the news of Mwabili’s alleged abduction. He said that he was contacted by a family member on July 23 with the disturbing update. 

“A Kenyan has been abducted in Tanzania. Again,” Khalid posted. “Mwabili Mwagodi was vocal against church donations and has now disappeared while in Tanzania. We need answers.” 

Mwabili’s wife also spoke out. She said her husband had planned to travel to Dar es Salaam on the night of Wednesday, July 23, for his job in the hospitality sector. She explained that he had left his car behind and decided to use public transport instead. 

At around 10 p.m., his phone was turned off, and he hasn’t been heard from since. 

“I tried calling him, texting him, everything. His phone just went dead,” she said. “That’s when I knew something was very wrong.” 

The incident comes just weeks after other Kenyan activists, including Boniface Mwangi, were detained while in Tanzania. This has raised serious concerns among human rights defenders in the region, who accuse President Samia Suluhu’s government of targeting foreign activists without legal justification. 

Mwabili’s work focused on protecting civic freedoms and promoting integrity within religious and political institutions. Friends and fellow activists described him as a passionate and fearless voice for truth. 

Isabella said her brother’s social media platforms had recently become more influential. He was amplifying youth voices, especially those of young Kenyans who felt silenced by mainstream politics. 

“He was never afraid to say what others wouldn’t. Maybe that’s what made him a target,” she said. 

This latest case adds to a worrying trend of cross-border intimidation against Kenyan activists, with Tanzania becoming a hotspot for forced disappearances and detentions. 

Human rights groups are now demanding that both the Kenyan and Tanzanian governments work together to locate Mwabili and ensure his safety. Vocal Africa has promised to pursue all legal channels to hold those responsible accountable. 

“Silencing activists will not stop the movement. We want justice for Mwabili, and we will not rest until he is found,” Khalid said. 

So far, neither the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor Tanzanian authorities have issued an official statement on the matter. This silence has only increased tensions between the two countries. 

Mwabili’s disappearance has sparked outrage online, with #WhereIsMwabili and #BringBackMwabili trending across Kenyan Twitter (X) and Instagram. Young people from across East Africa are posting videos, messages, and artwork in support of the activist. 

Meanwhile, his family is growing more desperate by the day. 

“We just want him back,” Isabella pleaded. “Alive, safe, and free.” 

The case is now seen as a test of government accountability on both sides of the border. Will Tanzania come clean about what happened to Mwabili? And will Kenya stand up for its citizens abroad? 

For now, a family waits in fear. A nation watches in silence. And a young activist, Mwabili Mwagodi, remains missing, his voice now echoing through the hearts of those fighting for freedom.