Fresh fears of cross-border repression have emerged after Kenyan youth mobiliser Mwabili Mwagodi was reported missing in Tanzania, in what rights defender's suspect may be a politically motivated abduction.

According to human rights advocate and Vocal Africa CEO Hussein Khalid, Mwagodi vanished on the night of Wednesday, July 24, in Dar es Salaam. Khalid said the activist’s family reached out to him with the alarming news.

“Yet again, a Kenyan has disappeared in Tanzania. The family of Mwabili Mwagodi has confirmed that he was taken on Wednesday. He’s been vocal on various issues, including condemning political donations in churches,” Khalid posted on social media.

Khalid pointed an accusing finger at the Tanzanian government under President Samia Suluhu, alleging an escalating crackdown on Kenyan activists operating or visiting the country.

“It increasingly looks like President Suluhu’s regime is systematically targeting Kenyan voices critical of power,” Khalid said.

In a message to Khalid, Isabella Kituri who identified herself as Mwagodi’s sister confirmed that her brother, employed at Amani Beach Hotel in Kigamboni, had not been heard from since Wednesday night.

“Hello Hussein, my brother Mwabili Mwagodi, also known online as TL Elder, has not been reachable since last night here in Dar es Salaam,” she wrote. “His employer tried to report him as missing, but police asked them to wait for 24 hours before filing a formal report.”

The family suspects Mwagodi’s disappearance could be connected to his outspoken stance against President William Ruto’s controversial church fundraising tours. He has also been active in mobilizing Kenyan youth through social media platforms.

“Given his front-line role in mobilizing Gen Z, particularly during the protests against church-based political campaigns, we are deeply concerned,” Isabella said. “He was one of the people who encouraged direct messaging to church leaders to stop hosting politicians. We’re appealing to anyone with information to help us trace him.”

Mwagodi played a notable role during the June 2024 Gen Z protests, where he encouraged young Kenyans to contact church leaders directly, urging them to block political figures including President Ruto from using religious platforms for political gain.

His disappearance comes just two months after the detention of activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan lawyer Agatha Atuhaire in Dar es Salaam on May 19, 2025.

The duo had travelled to Tanzania to follow the court proceedings of opposition figure Tundu Lissu. Mwangi was later accused by Tanzanian authorities of using false identification to enter the country.

Mwagodi’s case adds to growing anxiety over the safety of activists within the region, especially those critical of governments and religious-political alliances.