In the bustling heart of Nairobi, a city that’s no stranger to intrigue, a troubling narrative unfolds. On a seemingly ordinary Sunday, the peaceful rhythm of everyday life was interrupted by an unnerving incident that has left the journalism community and human rights activists deeply concerned. On January 14, 2025, Maria Sarungi Tsehai, a high-profile Tanzanian journalist renowned for her fervent advocacy of human rights, was assaulted and abducted by four mysterious individuals. The ordeal lasted for about four harrowing hours.
The reputation of Kenya as a haven for those seeking sanctuary from political persecution is in the balance. “If there’s a trend of dissidents and critics suddenly finding themselves at risk on Kenyan soil, we have a serious problem on our hands,” remarked Muthoki Mumo, CPJ Africa Program Coordinator, with a tone of urgent concern underlying her words. “For the dignity of the state and the freedom of its people, the Kenyan authorities must not let this incident go unexamined or unpunished.”
Maria, a voice too bold to be silenced, frequently shares her thoughts on Tanzanian politics via her X account, while her YouTube channel, Mwanzo TV Plus, serves as a lively forum for debate. In recounting her encounter at an Amnesty International press conference, Maria described a terrifying scene: unknown men pulling her from a taxi outside a Nairobi salon, blindfolding her, and dragging her into a van around mid-afternoon. These men, claiming authority as policemen, took no hesitation as they secured her with handcuffs and sat on her feet—to put it crudely, they went full medieval.
It wasn’t just physical intimidation. They seized her two phones and insisted on accessing them, a request she steadfastly declined, though they kept the devices upon her release on the outskirts of town. Maria, who fled Tanzania following threats of arrest and the shutdown of her media outlet, suspects there’s more than meets the eye here. “I fear Tanzanian forces might be behind this,” she admitted, pondering a possible forced return due to her outspoken social media presence.
Efforts to reach Kenya’s government and police representatives for their side of the story proved fruitless—silence in the face of inquiry. On the Tanzanian front, government spokesperson Gerson Msigwa maintained that it’s primarily Nairobi’s case to resolve, assuring that Tanzania would engage diplomatically if contacted by Kenyan officials. His response seemed to draw a line in the sand, firmly placing the ball in Kenya’s court.
Since President William Ruto’s inauguration in 2022, Kenya has been under the microscope with a string of similar incidents. Reports have ranged from abductions of refugees and international dignitaries being sent back home against their will, to the tragic demise of Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif at the hands of Kenyan law enforcement. Indeed, the recent months haven’t been quiet—Kenya has witnessed a resurgence of political dissent, with critics of the regime turning up missing, their voices temporarily muted, yet their silence speaking volumes.
Far from Kenya’s borders, Tanzania’s civic climate isn’t faring much better. CPJ has recorded numerous instances of aggression towards media covering opposition figures, and human rights advocates aren’t mincing words about looming crackdowns as election times draw near. In this tale of rights and repression, Nairobi and Dodoma are but stage settings—yet the play itself affects us all.
Is the world prepared to witness an ever-dimming light on journalistic freedom? The answer hinges on how these countries choose to act right now. Until then, we stand with bated breath, allies to every silenced voice yearning to reclaim its power.
Report By Axadle
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
