Wamuzi News Ke
Amnesty International Kenya has formally called on the East African Court of Justice to launch an urgent, independent probe into cross‑border abductions allegedly coordinated by Kenyan and Tanzanian authorities.
The demand follows the recent disappearance—and subsequent discovery—of prominent Kenyan activist Mwabili Mwagodi.In a statement issued shortly after Mwagodi was found abandoned in Kwale County, Amnesty alleged that both governments remain complicit through their silence over the enforced disappearance and prolonged detention of the activist in Tanzania.
The non‑governmental watchdog insisted the East African Court should spearhead impartial legal action against those responsible.
Silence at Highest Levels Raises Alarm.
Amnesty sharply criticised what it described as “deeply troubling” silence from executive and judicial institutions in Nairobi and Dodoma during Mwagodi’s disappearance, transport, and eventual abandonment. The organisation lauded public pressure from civil society, the media, and Mwagodi’s family for pushing the case into the spotlight.
However, it stressed that without court oversight, accountability would remain elusive.Simultaneously, the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) echoed calls for justice, demanding that both Kenyan and Tanzanian authorities be held responsible for any collusion leading to Mwagodi’s abduction and any harm he suffered.
KHRC described the situation as a gross violation of human rights and constitutional protections.Case Follows Disturbing Regional PatternMwagodi’s ordeal is the most recent in a troubling wave of similar incidents in the region.
Earlier cases include Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and other critics allegedly abducted and transported across borders. Human rights defenders point to a growing pattern of suppression targeting opposition voices and civic dissenters in East Africa.
Court Action Becomes Imperative.
Amnesty insisted that only the East African Court of Justice can provide the level of independence and legal authority necessary to unravel a case involving two sovereign states. The organisation urged the court to mandate prompt investigations, secure protection for at-risk activists across both countries, and deliver legal recourse for victims and their families.
KHRC also insisted that Mwagodi must receive medical care and legal protection immediately. He was reportedly dropped off at Diani police station in the early hours after contacting family; security agents briefly detained him before a human rights organisation intervened to secure his release.
KHRC further vowed to pursue justice through all available regional mechanisms.
What’s At Stake.
Freedom of Expression: Rights activists warn this case signals a dangerous new frontier in regional efforts to silence dissent.Legal Precedent: Failure to act may embolden further extrajudicial cross‑border operations targeting critics.
EAC Oversight: The East African judicial body is now in the spotlight to prove its capacity to enforce human rights obligations across member states.
Next Moves Expected.
Civil society groups, legal experts, and opposition voices say a filing with the East African Court is imminent—seeking a matter of public interest case that could set legal precedent across the region. Meanwhile, both governments are under increasing pressure from international and domestic advocacy networks to open transparent investigations or face judicial scrutiny.
If the court accepts the case, it could trigger unprecedented accountability for coordinated repression between national security agencies. With activists’ safety at risk and public outrage mounting, the outcome may mark a defining moment for East African civic space.
