Missing activist Mwabili Mwagodi found alive, says he 'was tortured, injected with unknown substance

Human rights activist Mwabili Mwagodi, who was reported missing last week, has been found alive.

He resurfaced on Sunday morning and is currently receiving treatment at Pandya Memorial Hospital in Mombasa. His condition has not been disclosed, but hospital sources confirmed he is under medical care.

Vocal Africa CEO Hussein Khalid said Mwagodi was dropped in a bush in Kinondo, Kwale county, around 3:00 am, where he walked for about three kilometres to Diani.

Hussein said that while in Diani, he managed to call his family, who alerted them, and they sent their officers immediately.

"While in Diani, Mwagodi voluntarily took himself to the police station, but to everyone’s surprise, the police wanted to detain him. Our officers intervened, and he was released," he said.

"Presently, Mwagodi has been rushed to Pandya hospital, Mombasa, for a quick medical check-up after which he will be put on a flight to Nairobi to reunite with his family."



Human rights defender Walid Sketty criticised the conduct of Kenyan police at the station, alleging attempts to detain Mwagodi unlawfully and denying him an OB number.

“Some officers wore uniforms and were armed, but were not involved in the case. The men trying to take him were in plain clothes with no identification,” he said.

Sketty further claimed Mwagodi was tortured after his handover from Tanzania, including being blindfolded, pricked with objects he suspects were needles, and having his belongings confiscated.

“We believe the Kenyan government is complicit in his abduction. This is a gross violation of human rights,” he stated.

According to Muhuri Rapid Response Officer Francis Auma, Mwagodi was handed over to Kenyan authorities by Tanzanian officials at the Lungalunga border.

"We found him at the Diani Police Station under very heavy DCI presence. There were at least nine armed officers outside,” Auma said.

He added that friends of Mwagodi facilitated his rescue from Tanzanian custody, where he had been questioned about his political activism before being transferred into Kenyan hands.

“They took his phone, laptop, and questioned him about protests and political interests,” said Auma, describing Mwagodi as visibly traumatised and unstable upon arrival.

“They tortured him because you can clearly see he is mentally unstable. He claims that they beat him and injected him with something we don’t know. That's why he needs to be treated as soon as possible,” said human rights activist Walid Said.



Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the matter.

Over the past week, human rights organisations have been mounting pressure on the government to account for Mwagodi's whereabouts.

They had accused the state of failing to protect activists and called for urgent intervention to ensure their safe return. His reappearance has brought some relief, but questions continue to linger over his ordeal.