Desperation and anxiety are growing after the reported vanishing of social media activist Mwabili Mwagodi in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The vocal critic of President William Ruto’s administration hasn’t been seen or heard since Wednesday, to his loved ones’ disappointment.
The news of his disappearance was shared by human rights advocate Hussein Khalid, CEO of Vocal Africa, who revealed that Mwagodi’s sister, BBC Swahili news anchor Isabella Kituri, reached out to him in distress.
In her message, Kituri explained that her brother, who works at Amani Beach Hotel in Kigamboni, had suddenly gone off the radar midweek and the silence is deeply worrying.
“We’re really concerned. He’s been actively mobilizing Gen Z online and was one of the loudest voices opposing Ruto’s church fundraisers,” Kituri told Khalid in a message he later shared publicly.
Khalid didn’t mince words either, suggesting that Mwagodi’s disappearance may be politically motivated. It appears Samia Suluhu’s administration is operating day and night to hunt down Kenyan activists,” he posted, finger-pointing Tanzanian authorities.
When approached for comment, the family of Mwagodi said they were still trying to make sense of the situation and would issue a statement once they had sat as a family.
A known digital firebrand, Mwagodi has never shied away from expressing his dissent online. In his final post on X (formerly Twitter) before vanishing, he launched a scathing attack on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), flooding their new crime-reporting hotline post with screenshots labeling President Ruto, Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen, Deputy IG Eliud Lagat, and DCI boss Mohamed Amin as “criminals.”
His activism has particularly focused on church-state relations. In June 2024, he fronted the #CleanTheAltar movement, in which he called on churches to avoid political influence and money. One of his most biting messages was to Reverend Simon Mutahi, after the cleric invited First Lady Rachel Ruto to a church fundraiser
“I see you have invited Mrs. Rachel Ruto to your church for a fundraiser. First of all, the money is looted from the taxes I pay to this government of looters,” Mwagodi posted. He ended with a clear warning: “We are coming for the fundraiser. God bless you.”
Reverend Mutahi later responded politely, saying, “Good evening Mwabili. Please note that the First Lady will not be attending the fundraiser. You are welcome to worship with us. Blessed night.”
Following the news of his disappearance, Kenyans on social media have rallied behind Mwagodi, using the hashtag #FreeMwabiliMwagodi to demand answers and accountability.