Mwabili Mwagodi has gone missing in Tanzania with growing reports that he has been abducted by members of the secret services.
Mwagodi a Kenyan national, is a leading critic of President William Ruto’s church fundraising spree. He went missing on Wednesday night.
According to emerging details, “he was last seen in Kigamboni, where he works at Amani Beach Hotel,” local media reports.
“A Kenyan has been abducted in Tanzania. Again,” said Hussein Khalid, CEO of Vocal Africa, a human rights organization.
He said the disappearance bears the hallmarks of an enforced disappearance and accused the Tanzanian government of targeting Kenyan activists.
“It seems President Suluhu Samia and her government are working round the clock to target Kenyan activists,” said Hussein Khalid.
Mwagodi gained prominence for organizing online campaigns opposing political fundraising in places of worship, particularly those involving President Ruto.
His “Occupy Church Movement” campaign forced some churches to reject donations from politicians due to public pressure.
His social media activities have made him a prominent figure in Kenya’s Gen Z-led digital activism movement.
Mwagodi has spent considerable time in Tanzania in recent months, where he had relocated partially for work.
Mwagodi vanished on the evening of Wednesday, July 21. His wife stated that he was last seen around 10 PM while en route to Dar es Salaam.
Notably, he chose to leave his vehicle behind and took public transportation, a decision that preceded the sudden loss of contact when his phone went off unexpectedly.
Mwagodi has occured just months after six other Kenyan campaigners, among them renowned activist Boniface Mwangi were detained in Tanzania.
As of Friday morning, Tanzanian authorities had not issued a statement regarding Mwagodi’s disappearance.
