- Maria Sarungi Tsehai, a Tanzanian journalist and human rights activist, was reportedly kidnapped in Nairobi on Sunday evening, January 12
- Tsehai confirmed his release a few hours later, following the intervention of activists and human rights groups
- This incident comes just two months after Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye was also reportedly kidnapped in Nairobi
Journalist of Tanzania and human rights activist Maria Sarungi Tsehai was reportedly kidnapped in Nairobi on Sunday, January 12, in the evening.
Source: Twitter
According to Amnesty International Kenya, Tsehai was forcibly abducted in Kilimani by three armed men, who took him away in a black Toyota Noah.
The abduction sparked outrage among human rights groups, activists, and on social media.
Amnesty International Kenya took swift action by issuing an alert through X (formerly Twitter) about the incident and lobbying for support for his safety.
A kidnapped Tanzanian journalist is released
Tsehai used X to express gratitude and comfort after being released a few hours after the incident.
“God is good! I have fought, and you have fought. Now I am safe, thank you all very much, and I will say more tomorrow,” I love them so much! he said.
The Kenya Bar Association, through its President Faith Odhiambo, also confirmed his release, adding that the association will seek answers from the police.
“Maria Sarungi Tsehai has been released and is currently safe. The suffering he went through shows a terrible picture about the state of human rights in our country. We will follow up on responses from the relevant authorities as to why this happened,” he said in a statement.
Who is Maria Sarungi Tsehai?
Maria Sarungi Tsehai is a Tanzanian journalist, media presenter, and human rights defender.
Tsehai is a vocal defender of freedom of speech, women's rights, and against corruption in government.
He has been using his platform to criticize the President of Tanzania Samia Solution Hassan about various issues.
Kizza Besigye of Uganda was kidnapped in Nairobi
Tsehai's case is not unique, but is part of a horrific trend of kidnappings involving foreign politicians in Nairobi.
In November 2024, Kizza Besigye, a prominent Ugandan opposition leader and opponent of President Yoweri Museveni, was similarly captured in Nairobi.
Besigye had traveled to Kenya to attend a book launch but was last seen entering a residential building in Riverside, Nairobi.
He was later found in Uganda, where he was charged in a military court for offenses including illegal possession of weapons.
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