Amnesty Kenya has called on the East African Court of Justice to launch an independent investigation into the Kenyan and Tanzanian governments following the alleged forced disappearance of Kenyan activist Mwabili Mwagodi in Tanzania.
In a statement on Sunday, July 27, hours after the activist was found dumped in the coastal region, Amnesty claimed that the court should ensure that the court should take the lead in spearheading investigations and taking legal action against all those responsible for the forced disappearance of the activists.
According to Amnesty, the silence projected by the executive and judicial systems of Kenya and Tanzania into Mwabili Mwagodi's disappearance and other such cases that have happened in the recent past does not create an ideal environment for the two countries to spearhead legal action.
Amnesty further claims that the court should also ensure that all activists in the two countries, who are at risk of forced disappearances, are well protected.
"We reiterate our call for independent, impartial investigations and accountability in the East African Court of Justice, as well as protection for Mwagodi and other activists who face increased risks," Amnesty stated.
"We salute the public pressure generated by his family, the public, and human rights organisations. The silence of both Tanzanian and Kenyan governments during his prolonged detention, transportation, and abandonment is deeply troubling," it added.
On the other hand, the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) stressed that the Kenyan and Tanzanian authorities to be held accountable for the forced disappearance and any harm that was inflicted on Mwagodi.
"KHRC demands that the Kenyan and Tanzanian authorities be held accountable for the cross-border collusion that led to the forced disappearance of Mwagodi, as well as any harm that may have been inflicted upon him," KHRC said.
Mwagodi reportedly went missing in Tanzania on Wednesday, July 23, and was later found on Sunday, dropped in Kwale County on Sunday morning.
According to Vocal Africa CEO Hussein Khalid, Mwagodi contacted his family and took himself to the police in Diani, where they tried to detain him. It took the intervention of Vocal Africa for him to be released.
Mwagodi is currently at a hospital in Mombasa for a check-up before he can be reunited with his family.
"When he finally reached Diani, around 3am, Mwabili Mwagodi actually thought presenting himself to the police would be a good thing, so he voluntarily went to Diani Police Station," Hussein Khalid said.
