Tanzanian human rights defender Maria Sarungi Tsehai was freed on Sunday, January 12 hours after she was abducted by armed men in Nairobi’s Kilimani.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) confirmed her release.
On her part, Sarungi thanked all who stood with her including Kenyans, Tanzanians and the entire international community.
“I am now safe many thanks to everyone and I will talk more tomorrow,” she said on her X account immediately after regaining her freedom.
According to Amnesty International Kenya, Sarungi is an independent media editor and human rights defender.
The human rights body explained that the journalist was abducted by three armed men in a black Noah at 3.15 pm.
The incident took place outside Chaka Place in the Kilimani area, a popular business and residential district in the city.
“Ms Maria S. Tsehai, Tanzanian independent media editor and human rights defender kidnapped by three armed men in a black Noah from Chaka Place, Kilimani, Nairobi, Kenya at 3.15 pm today.
“Teams on site. Spread the word, let’s keep Maria safe,” stated Amnesty.
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Tundu Lisu Reveals Maria Sarungi Was in Exile
At the same time, former Tanzania Presidential Aspirant Tundu Lisu has noted that the journalist was a fearless critic of the current and former government.
“Maria Sarungi-Tsehai, one of Tanzania’s foremost and fearless critics of the Samia regime and a dearest friend has been snatched by three unidentified gunmen in the vicinity of Yaya Centre in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi,” he stated
Further, he revealed that the journalist had fled to exile in Kenya before the 2020 Tanzanian general election.
Additionally, the politician called on the Kenyan government and all people of goodwill from around the world to intervene in whatever capacity, to help get Maria back home safe.
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“A strident opponent of the Magufuli dictatorship, Maria had fled to exile in Kenya just before the fraudulent 2020 general elections and had been running Chanzo TV, a pro-democracy online platform,
“And we must tell whoever is behind Maria’s abduction and disappearance that no amount of terror and violence or intimidation will silence us.
“That many more Marias will step forward to take up her fight for democracy and decency in Tanzania,” added Lisu.
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