Tanzanian Journalist Maria Sarungi Tsehai Abducted and Released in Nairobi, Sparking Press Freedom Outcry

Tanzanian journalist and activist Maria Sarungi Tsehai was abducted in Nairobi, Kenya, by four unidentified men—some posing as police officers—before being released several hours later. Tsehai, known for her outspoken criticism of the Tanzanian government and her leadership of the #ChangeTanzania movement, was targeted while traveling by taxi in the Kilimani area.

According to Tsehai’s own account, the men blindfolded and handcuffed her, confiscated her phones, and subjected her to physical and verbal abuse during a four-hour ordeal. She was eventually released at an undisclosed location on the outskirts of Nairobi. Her abductors demanded passwords to her devices, suggesting the attack may have been intended to gain access to her social media accounts and online communications.

The incident has been widely condemned by international press freedom organizations. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Press Institute (IPI) both called for an immediate and transparent investigation by Kenyan authorities. CPJ’s Africa program coordinator Muthoki Mumo noted that Nairobi, once seen as a haven for exiled journalists, is becoming increasingly unsafe due to a rise in transnational repression.

Tsehai, who relocated to Kenya in 2021 following the banning of her media outlet in Tanzania and threats to her safety, is one of several exiled journalists in East Africa now facing intimidation and violence. The circumstances surrounding her abduction have raised fears of cross-border surveillance and extrajudicial targeting by foreign agents, particularly those acting on behalf of the Tanzanian state.

The Kenyan government has yet to identify the perpetrators or announce any formal investigation. Press freedom advocates have urged Kenya to take stronger measures to protect exiled journalists and prevent further violations of their rights.

Tsehai’s case underscores the growing risks faced by journalists in exile and the need for urgent international attention. Her abduction marks a serious escalation in efforts to silence dissenting voices beyond national borders, reinforcing fears that no place is truly safe for independent journalists critical of authoritarian regimes.