Tanzanian Journalist Maria Tsehai Abducted In Nairobi

Tanzanian media personality and human rights defender, Maria Sarungi Tsehai, has reportedly been abducted in Nairobi, Kenya, a matter which has sparked tension amongst social media users.

Amnesty International Kenya revealed on Sunday, January 12 that Tsehai was abducted by three armed men in a black Noah at 3.15 pm. The incident occurred outside Chaka Place in the Kilimani area.

“Ms Maria S Tsehai, Tanzanian independent media editor and human rights defender, kidnapped by three armed men in a black Noah from Chaka Place, Kilimani, Nairobi, Kenya at 3.15 pm today. Teams on site. Spread the word, let’s keep Maria safe,” the statement by Amnesty Kenya read.

The matter also drew the attention of former Tanzania Presidential Aspirant Tundu Lissu, who disclosed that the journalist was a fearless critic of the current government led by President Samia Suluhu.

Tanzanian journalist and human rights activist Maria Sarungi Tsehai. /LINKEDIN

Tsehai is a media and communications expert who does not shy away from writing articles highlighting the rot in the Tanzanian government.

“Maria Sarungi-Tsehai, one of Tanzania’s foremost and fearless critics of the Samia regime and a dearest friend has been snatched by three unidentified gunmen in the vicinity of Yaya Centre in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi,” he stated.

Further, he revealed that the journalist had fled to exile in Kenya before the 2020 Tanzanian general election. Lissu went on to urge the Kenyan government and all people of goodwill from around the world to intervene in whatever capacity, to help get her back home safe. 

“A strident opponent of the Magufuli dictatorship, Maria had fled to exile in Kenya just before the fraudulent 2020 general elections and had been running Chanzo TV, a pro-democracy online platform,

“And we must tell whoever is behind Maria’s abduction and disappearance that no amount of terror and violence or intimidation will silence us. That many many more Marias will step forward to take up her fight for democracy and decency in Tanzania,” added Lissu. 

With over 1.3 million followers on X, she also uses the platform to expose the rot in the Tanzanian administration.

In her last post, a few hours before her alleged abduction, Tsehai revealed that the Tanzanian government was importing two aeroplanes: a brand new one for the VIPs in Tanzania and a used one to be handed over to Air Tanzania as a passenger plane.

She expressed her dissatisfaction with the Parliament’s decision to pass the budget allowing the acquisition of the VIP jet when common Tanzanians had bigger issues to worry about. “Our Parliament is useless. How could you pass this budget? Mothers are dying during childbirth and you are approving billions to buy a plane for VIPS?” part of her post read.

It has not been confirmed when she arrived in Kenya or what business she was attending before her alleged abduction. This is now a matter of concern given that she is the second vocal East African activist to be abducted on Kenyan soil, particularly in an affluent neighbourhood in Nairobi, in a space of just three months.

On Saturday, November 16, 2024, Uganda’s opposition leader Kizza Besigye was abducted from Riverside Drive in Nairobi and transported to Uganda where he is currently facing national security charges in a military court.

These cases come amidst an alarmingly high number of abductions targeting young Kenyan citizens highly critical of the current government. It also puts into question the safety of East African citizens in Kenya, particularly those who relied on the country for safe refuge.