KHRC demands accountability over abduction and disappearance of Mwagodi
By Faith Lagat, July 27, 2025The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has condemned the enforced disappearance of Kenyan activist Mwabili Mwagodi, who went missing in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
“KHRC demands that the Kenyan and Tanzanian authorities be held accountable for the cross-border collusion that led to the abduction and enforced disappearance of Mwagodi, as well as any harm that may have been inflicted upon him,” read the KHRC statement on X dated July 27, 2025.
Mwagodi, known for his criticism of political interference in religious spaces, was seized by unknown individuals while travelling to Dar es Salaam, where he worked in the hospitality sector. His disappearance triggered a wave of concern from human rights groups and plunged his family into days of uncertainty.
The situation took a dramatic turn early Sunday morning, July 27, 2025, when Mwagodi was found alive in a remote area of Kinondo, Diani, in Kwale County.
According to Vocal Africa CEO Hussein Khalid, Mwagodi was abandoned in a bush at around 3 am and walked approximately three kilometres to Diani town, where he managed to contact his family. He was subsequently taken to Pandya Hospital in Mombasa for medical evaluation.
“While in Diani, he managed to call his family, who alerted us, and we sent our officers immediately,” Khalid wrote on his X account.
Cross-border repression
On Saturday, Mwagodi’s family and Vocal Africa sought the help of Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), only to be turned away. The DCI cited jurisdictional limitations, noting that the abduction 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. He added that the matter had also been reported to the police and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In response, KHRC escalated pressure on both governments, accusing them of cross-border collusion. The commission termed the incident “deliberate, coordinated, and criminal,” linking it to previous threats and surveillance targeting Mwagodi following a peaceful protest he led during a church service in Nyahururu in June 2024.
KHRC also pointed to a worrying regional trend of cross-border repression. The commission referenced the assault of activist Boniface Mwangi and the detention of Ugandan journalist Agatha Atuha, both cases linked to Tanzania and currently under review at the East African Court of Justice.
Amnesty International expressed concern over Mwagodi’s case, urging the Kenyan and Tanzanian authorities to uphold international human rights obligations and ensure the safety of defenders. “The safety of human rights defenders must be addressed with urgency and accountability,” the organisation stated.
KHRC has demanded full disclosure of Mwagodi’s condition, an end to enforced disappearances, thorough investigations into threats against his family, and accountability from both states. The commission also criticised a failed police attempt to detain Mwagodi in Diani despite his voluntary surrender, underscoring what it termed the urgent need for justice and transparency.