Vocal Africa raises alarm over Mwabili Mwagodi’s detention

In an update shared on X on Monday, Hussein Khalid — a lawyer, human rights activist and the Chief Executive Officer of Vocal Africa — said information from the organisation’s Mombasa office indicated that Mwagodi was transferred to Port Police Station after initially being arrested at Lunga Lunga near the Kenya-Tanzania border.

According to the statement, Mwagodi was reportedly on his way to Tanzania to follow up with his former employer and collect dues when he was intercepted at the border and detained.

Khalid said police had not provided reasons for the arrest, only citing “orders from above,” adding that Mwagodi was awaiting transportation to Nairobi.

In further details shared by Vocal Africa, Mwagodi’s sister, identified as Isabella, said officers in Lunga Lunga later moved him after allegedly indicating they had no grounds to continue holding him.

She claimed the officers told her they had been instructed to detain him for 48 hours, and that his passport had a “red alert” reportedly issued on January 25, which she said was before the arrest.

Isabella said officers currently holding Mwagodi told them they did not know why he was under arrest and were waiting for officers from DCI Nairobi to take him.

Vocal Africa has called on authorities to either release Mwagodi or formally charge him, warning that holding him without disclosing reasons violates due process and constitutional safeguards.