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Mwabili Mwagodi speaks on abduction ordeal, says police refused to record statement
Abducted activist Mwabili Mwagodi speaks after he was allegedly abducted in Tanzania and dropped off at Kinondo, Kwale County, last week.
Human rights activist Mwabili Mwagodi, who was allegedly abducted in Tanzania and later abandoned in Diani, Kwale County, now claims police have refused to record his statement.
Speaking outside Mombasa Central Police Station on Saturday, flanked by his family and activists led by Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI) Executive Director Khelef Khalifa, he recounted his ordeal in the hands of his abductors and said his life remains in danger.
“I am very fearful for my life right now. Some people are after me. I want to ask young Kenyans to be careful and protect themselves. There is a clear intention to eliminate people like me,” he said.
Mr Mwabili said his abductors confiscated his travel and personal documents, including his passport, yellow fever certificate, laptop and three mobile phones. He added that money was also withdrawn from his bank accounts after his cards were taken away.
“It’s a horrifying ordeal. I don’t want anyone to go through what I have experienced. Now I am seeking justice in my country, which has the best constitution in Africa, but I am being told I cannot even file a report,” he said, adding that he will now rely on his lawyers to pursue the matter.
Abducted activist Mwabili Mwagodi with his family members and Mombasa-based activists at Central Police Station on August 2, 2025.
Mr Mwabili, who was discharged from the hospital on Thursday, went missing in Tanzania for four days before he was found in a forest in Diani, badly shaken and in need of treatment.
Mr Khalifa accused police of frustrating efforts to have the activist’s complaint formally documented.
“By law, an occurrence book entry can be filed anywhere, but when he went to Diani, police declined to take his statement. We want to know what is being hidden,” said Mr Khalifa.
The activist maintained that he will not relent in his quest for justice and urged young people to remain focused on speaking out against bad governance.
