Sarungi: Abductors warned me against speaking to anyone after my release

Dar es Salaam. Maria Sarungi, a prominent Tanzanian human rights defender and independent media editor, has recounted her harrowing experience following her abduction in Nairobi’s Kilimani area on 12 January 2025. She was taken by three armed men and held until her release late that night.

Speaking to journalists on Monday, 13 January 2025, in Nairobi, Maria revealed that her abductors warned her against discussing the ordeal or speaking to anyone about it after her release.

“They released me at night—I remember being abducted around 3 PM. When they let me go, they instructed me not to talk to anyone or say anything about what had happened. What I recall is that they demanded my phone and drove around with me, saying they were waiting for their boss. I asked them, 'So you have a boss?' and that seemed to anger them as they felt I was catching onto their plans,” Maria said.

She expressed gratitude to the media, international organisations, and individuals whose outcry played a key role in her release.

“I am deeply grateful to the media for amplifying my plight, to the public, and to the many politicians who raised their voices. I also want to thank ambassadors, the European Union governments, and other activists. Their efforts and voices pressured my captors, forcing them to rethink their plans,” Maria stated.

Maria appeared emotional in a brief video shared moments after her release. While the reasons for her abduction remain unclear, her case has highlighted the challenges and dangers faced by activists and journalists in the region.

She thanked everyone who called for her immediate release and kept their focus on her safety, promising to address the media further on the matter. True to her word, she shared her story, marking an important moment of resilience in the face of adversity.