Kenyan activist Mwabili Mwagodi, a prominent critic of President William Ruto’s controversial church fundraising drives, has been found alive and hospitalised after being abducted in neighbouring Tanzania.
Mwagodi, a leading figure in the “Occupy Church Movement,” which has pressured churches to reject political donations and bar politicians from addressing congregations, went missing earlier this month.
His disappearance had sparked protests and widespread concern from human rights groups demanding his safe return.
In a statement following his release, Mwagodi alleged that both Kenyan and Tanzanian authorities were involved in his abduction and cross-border transfer.
According to his account, three Kenyan police officers were present at an exchange with Tanzanian officials at the Lunga Lunga border, where he was handed back into Kenyan custody before being abandoned.
“I can confirm that I was abducted in Tanzania and brought back into Kenya under circumstances involving security personnel from both countries,” Mwagodi said.
He is currently receiving medical treatment, though the extent of his injuries has not been disclosed.
The activist’s abduction and claims of state involvement have raised alarm among civil society groups, who accuse regional governments of weaponising cross-border cooperation to silence dissent.
The “Occupy Church Movement,” spearheaded by Mwagodi, has become a thorn in the side of the political establishment, pushing back against what it calls the “politicisation and monetisation of the pulpit” ahead of the next election cycle.
Neither the Kenyan government nor Tanzanian authorities have issued an official statement addressing the allegations. Human rights organisations are now calling for an independent investigation into Mwagodi’s disappearance, the alleged role of law enforcement agencies, and the circumstances of his return.
Mwagodi’s supporters have vowed to continue the movement he helped lead, saying his ordeal only underscores the risks activists face in challenging entrenched political interests.
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