Kenyan activist and hotelier Mwabili Mwagodi, who had been reported missing in Dar es Salaam since Wednesday, has been found alive — bringing an emotional end to days of growing concern from family, friends, and the human rights community.

On Sunday morning, Mwabili was discovered abandoned in a bush in the Kinondo area near Diani, Kwale County. According to Vocal Africa CEO Hussein Khalid, the activist managed to walk roughly three kilometers before contacting his family. Upon reaching out, Mwabili was assisted by Vocal Africa and subsequently presented himself to a police station in Diani — only to face threats of detention.

Thanks to timely intervention by human rights officers, he was released and immediately rushed to Pandya Hospital in Mombasa for medical assessment. He is expected to be flown to Nairobi shortly to reunite with his loved ones.

Mwabili, a known critic of the Kenya Kwanza administration and resident hotelier in Kigamboni, Dar es Salaam, was reportedly picked up by unidentified security agents on Wednesday night while heading to his place of work. His family had raised the alarm, citing surveillance and threats dating back to October 2024, linked to his vocal role in the Gen Z-led protests.

His sister, Isabella Kituri, revealed chilling details of past intimidation. “In October, my parents were visited by individuals identifying as DCI officers. They warned that Mwabili should stay away from Gen Z matters or face consequences,” she recounted. “They told my mother, ‘Mama msije mkaweka hema hapa.’”

Mwabili had previously led a bold protest during a church service attended by President William Ruto in Nyahururu, Laikipia County earlier in 2024 — a move that likely intensified the scrutiny around him.

Human rights groups are now calling for an independent investigation into the circumstances of Mwabili’s abduction and subsequent release, stressing the need to uphold the constitutional rights of all Kenyan citizens, regardless of political stance.

His case has once again spotlighted the shrinking civic space and growing concerns about safety for activists and dissenters in Kenya and the region.