Maria Sarungi Tsehai, a prominent Tanzanian activist and human rights defender, was abducted in Nairobi, Kenya, on January 12, 2025, but was later released.
The abduction occurred in the Kilimani area of Nairobi, where she was reportedly taken by three armed men in a black Toyota Noah vehicle around 3:15 PM local time.
Tsehai, known for criticising Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, was released later that evening following interventions by human rights groups like Amnesty International Kenya and the Law Society of Kenya.
After her release, Maria Tsehai shared a video on X expressing her relief and gratitude for being saved, appearing visibly shaken but safe.
Her organization, Change Tanzania, stated they believed the abductors were Tanzanian security agents operating outside of their country to silence legitimate criticism.
Kenyan authorities, as well as the Tanzanian government, have not officially commented on the incident.
This event has sparked discussions on the safety of activists and the potential transnational repression by governments.
Tsehai’s abduction follows a pattern where Kenya has been accused of enabling foreign governments to carry out abductions on its soil, notably with previous cases involving Ugandan and Turkish nationals.
The incident has highlighted concerns about human rights and freedom of speech in the region, especially with upcoming elections in Tanzania where Tsehai has been vocal about government actions.
International and local organizations have called for investigations into the abduction to ensure accountability and prevent future occurrences.