The wave of abductions in Kenya continues after prominent Tanzanian activist Maria Sarungi Tsehai was kidnapped on Sunday by three armed men in Nairobi and later released.
The human rights defender critical of Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan was taken into a black car in the Kilimani neighbourhood on Sunday afternoon, according to a statement by Amnesty International.
“Ms @MariaSTsehai Tanzanian independent media editor and human rights defender kidnapped by three armed men in a black Noah from Chaka Place, Kilimani, Nairobi, Kenya at 3.15pm today. Teams on site. Spread the word, let’s keep Maria safe,” Amnesty international-Kenya said on X.
Sarungi Tsehai’s husband David Tsehai said they had sought refuge in Nairobi four years ago after fleeing Tanzania.
“It was the scariest moment of my life. There is no doubt in my mind (it is) the thugs of the Tanzania Information and Security Services who are behind this.,” he said in a video clip shared by the Law Society of Kenya late on Sunday.
UN Resident Coordinator Stephen Jackson said he was “very concerned” by the abduction report.
Upon her release, a shaken Tsehai confirmed she had been abducted but was now safe.
“Thank you very much,I am safe, God is at. I want to thank the people of Kenya and Tanzania and all the international people,” she said in a video clip.
In a statement shared on X, Chadema opposition leader Tundu Lissu said Tsehai had fled to exile in Kenya since “just before the fraudulent 2020 general elections” and had been running Chanzo TV, a pro-democracy online platform.
“We must tell whoever is behind Maria’s abduction and disappearance that no amount of terror and violence or intimidation will silence us. That many many more Marias will step forward to take up her fight for democracy and decency in Tanzania,” he said.
Tsehai’s abduction on Kenyan soil follows that of Uganda opposition figure Kizza Besigye on November 16, 2024. Bezigye was abducted from Riverside, Nairobi, before being driven to Kampala. Besigye and his colleague Hajji Obeid Lutale have been in remand since November 20, 2024, and are facing several charges related to national security.
Coincidentally, Tsehai’s abduction happened moments after Public Service Minister Justin Muturi criticised the abductions, which he said the government must take responsibility for.
