Tanzanian activist Maria Sarungi Tsehai, known for her outspoken criticism of the Tanzanian government, was abducted in Nairobi’s Kilimani neighborhood on January 12, 2025.
Incident Details:
- Location and Time: Sarungi was taken from Chaka Place in Kilimani around 3:15 PM.
- Abduction: While waiting for a taxi after visiting a salon, a black Toyota Noah van blocked her ride. Two armed men exited the van, forcibly removed her from her vehicle, and handcuffed her. Despite her resistance, they overpowered her and drove off at high speed.
- Detention: During the ordeal, the abductors demanded the PIN to unlock her phone, which they had confiscated. They threatened her and used physical force, including strangulation and tightening her handcuffs, to coerce compliance.
- Release: After several hours, Sarungi was released in an unfamiliar, dark location. She managed to find her way to a main road and sought assistance to return home.
Reactions:
- Maria Sarungi Tsehai: She believes the abduction was an attempt to intimidate her due to her activism but remains resolute, stating, “If this was meant to intimidate me, I will not stop. I will not relent.”
- Human Rights Organizations: Groups like Amnesty International Kenya and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) condemned the abduction. LSK President Faith Odhiambo labeled the incident “unfortunate” and emphasized that Kenya should not be a ground for such operations.
- Public Support: Sarungi expressed gratitude for the support from activists and the public, suggesting that the pressure applied contributed to her release.
Background:
Maria Sarungi Tsehai is a prominent Tanzanian activist and media editor, known for founding the “Change Tanzania” movement, which began as a hashtag on Twitter (#changeTanzania) to encourage citizens to participate in bringing positive change, especially in political matters. She is also the director of Miss Universe Tanzania and owns a communication company, Compass Communication.
Current Status:
As of now, there have been no official statements from Kenyan or Tanzanian authorities regarding the abduction. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of activists in the region and the potential cross-border implications of such actions.
For a firsthand account, you can watch Maria Sarungi recount her abduction experience in the following video:
