Maria Sarungi Tsehai, a Tanzanian independent media editor and human rights defender was abducted by three armed men driving a black Noah from Chaka Place in the upscale Kilimani area in Nairobi. The abduction took place at approximately 3:15 pm on January 12, 2025.
Representatives from Change Tanzania, an organization founded by Ms Sarungi, believe her abductors to be Tanzania security agents operating beyond Tanzania’s borders to silence her. She was later released on the same day. Her criticism of the Tanzanian government might be linked to the incident, although no official motive has been confirmed.
“Maria Sarungi Tsehai has been released and is safe for now. The unfortunate ordeal she has endured paints a worrying picture of the state of our country’s human rights context. We will pursue answers from all relevant authorities on why this happened. We thank everyone for the concern and support in ensuring her release,” says Faith Odhiambo the President of the Law School of Kenya.
