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Tanzanian activist and human rights defender Maria Sarungi has confirmed she is safe following a harrowing ordeal in which she was allegedly abducted from Chaka Place in Nairobi’s Kilimani area on Sunday afternoon.
The shocking incident sparked widespread concern, particularly within activist circles, as Sarungi’s disappearance raised fears for her safety.
In a heartfelt video posted on her X (formerly Twitter) page several hours after she was reported missing, Sarungi assured her supporters that she was unharmed. “Asanteni sana niko salama, Mungu ni mwema na kesho nitachukua muda niwashukuru vizuri,” she said, expressing her gratitude for the overwhelming support she had received. The phrase, which translates to “Thank you so much, I am safe, God is good, and tomorrow I will take time to properly thank you,” offered relief to those who had feared for her safety.
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Sarungi, visibly emotional in the video, was accompanied by Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo. Both women appeared deeply moved as Sarungi thanked Kenyans and Tanzanians who had called for her immediate release. Sarungi promised to elaborate on her ordeal the following day.
According to Amnesty Kenya, Sarungi was forcibly taken by three armed men in a black Noah vehicle at approximately 3:15 p.m. on Sunday from Chaka Place, a well-known location in Nairobi’s Kilimani area. The human rights organization quickly mobilized teams to the site, but no immediate comment had been issued by Kenyan authorities regarding the abduction.
The circumstances surrounding Sarungi’s disappearance remain unclear, with initial concerns raised that she might have been taken to Tanzania for possible detention. Sarungi’s kidnapping marks the latest in a disturbing trend of high-profile abductions targeting foreigners in Kenya.
In a related incident, Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye was abducted from Nairobi on November 16, 2024. Besigye, who had been in Kenya to attend the launch of Martha Karua’s memoir, Against The Tide, was forcibly taken to Uganda, where he now faces a series of charges. Besigye, along with his colleague Hajji Obeid Lutale, is currently in remand, with charges including unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
The incidents have prompted questions about the safety of foreign activists in Kenya, a country that has long been seen as a regional hub for civil society and human rights advocacy.
At the time of writing, the Kenyan police had not issued any statements regarding Sarungi’s abduction, and it remains unclear whether an investigation will be launched into the matter.
The international community has rallied around Sarungi, with human rights organizations calling for a full investigation and urging Kenyan authorities to ensure the safety of foreign activists working in the country.
