The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has strongly condemned the disappearance of Kenyan activist Mwabili Mwagodi, who was reported missing in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Wednesday, July 23.

Mwagodi, a vocal critic of political influence in religious spaces, was reportedly seized by unknown individuals while travelling to Dar, where he worked in the hospitality sector. He has not been seen or heard from since.

On Saturday, July 26, 2025, Mwagodi’s family, alongside Vocal Africa CEO Hussein Khalid, visited Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to request assistance. However, the DCI declined to take up the case, citing jurisdictional limitations since the incident occurred in Tanzania.

“Today, VOCAL Africa accompanied the family of Mwabili to the DCI Kenya to officially ask them to intervene in his matter. The DCI refused to take up Mwabili’s matter, citing that it does not fall within their jurisdiction,” said Khalid. “We’ve also reported the matter to the police and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

KHRC slams regional rights crackdown

On Saturday, KHRC addressed the press, calling the cross-border repression of activists “deliberate, coordinated, and criminal.” The commission linked Mwagodi’s disappearance to prior surveillance and threats by Kenyan authorities after he led a peaceful protest during a church service in Nyahururu in June 2024.

In its statement, KHRC cited earlier incidents, including the recent abduction and assault of activist Boniface Mwangi and the detention of Ugandan journalist Agatha Atuhaire. Both were reportedly targeted while in Tanzania and are now part of a case before the East African Court of Justice.

Amnesty International also issued a statement on Saturday, expressing deep alarm at Mwagodi’s disappearance and calling it part of a disturbing regional trend of silencing dissent.

“The safety of human rights defenders must be addressed with urgency and accountability,” Amnesty said, urging the Kenyan and Tanzanian governments to disclose Mwagodi’s whereabouts and uphold international obligations.

KHRC has demanded: Mwagodi’s immediate and unconditional release, full disclosure on his location and condition, an end to Kenya’s involvement in enforced disappearances, independent investigations into threats against his family, and regional and international accountability for both governments.