Tanzanian Activist Released After Abduction in Nairobi, Husband Blames Tanzanian Intelligence

Prominent Tanzanian human rights activist Maria Sarungi Tsehai has been released after being abducted by three armed men on the streets of Nairobi, Kenya, on Sunday, January 12. Tsehai’s husband has accused Tanzania’s national intelligence service of being behind the kidnapping, adding to the growing concerns over the safety of critics of Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Tsehai, a well-known activist who has been critical of the Tanzanian government and President Hassan, was reportedly snatched by the armed men in the Kilimani neighborhood of Nairobi on Sunday afternoon. According to Amnesty International, the three men forcibly took Tsehai into a black car before disappearing from the scene.
After several hours of uncertainty, Tsehai was reportedly released, but the circumstances surrounding her abduction remain unclear. Her husband, who has spoken out against the incident, expressed fears that the abduction was a targeted attempt to intimidate his wife and silence her advocacy for human rights in Tanzania. He pointed fingers at the Tanzanian national intelligence service, suggesting their involvement in the kidnapping.
“We strongly believe this act was orchestrated by the Tanzanian authorities to intimidate Maria for her activism and outspoken criticism of President Samia Suluhu Hassan,” he said.
The abduction has sparked widespread condemnation from human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, which has called for an immediate investigation into the incident and the safety of activists critical of the Tanzanian government. The organization has also raised alarms about the increasing crackdown on dissent and freedom of expression in Tanzania under the current administration.
The Kenyan authorities have yet to make a statement on the incident, and no arrests have been made in connection with the abduction. Meanwhile, Tsehai’s supporters have rallied around her, condemning the kidnapping and reaffirming their commitment to standing with her in the fight for human rights and democracy.
The case has further strained relations between Tanzania and its neighboring countries, as activists and human rights groups across East Africa continue to express concern about the growing repression faced by those who challenge authoritarian regimes in the region.