Tortured activist Mwagodi to undergo psychological and forensic evaluation, say rights groups

Human rights organisations have condemned the abduction and alleged torture of activist Mwabili Mwagodi, who is currently receiving treatment at a private medical facility in Mombasa.

According to Hussein Khalid, Chief Executive Officer of Vocal Africa, Mwagodi is being housed in a private room where he will undergo psychological counselling after showing signs of severe trauma.

“As defenders of human rights, we are relieved that Mwabili Mwagodi has been found, but his mental state is not well. It is clear he has suffered, which is why we requested that he be placed in a private space to receive psychological support and return to a stable condition,” Hussein said.

Hussein also revealed that Amnesty International has arranged for forensic medical experts to examine Mwagodi as part of a wider investigation.

Forensic investigations

“We have already spoken to Amnesty. There are doctors who will conduct forensic investigations so that we can gather sufficient evidence of the torture he endured and follow up the case through legal channels,” he said.

Mwagodi reportedly told fellow activists that he was beaten, pricked with unknown objects, and had his head stepped on during the ordeal.

“There are signs of different types of torture, and that’s why our first step was to get him to the hospital for medical attention,” Hussein added.

Human rights defenders have strongly denounced the abduction, warning that it points to a troubling pattern of cross-border targeting of East African activists.

“We condemn in the strongest terms the abduction of activist Mwabili Mwagodi. It is now evident that there are ongoing incidents where activists from one East African country disappear in another and are later returned after abuse. Others like Boniface Mwangi and Agather have faced similar threats, and we fear there are still many whose cases remain unknown,” Hussein said.

He called on East African governments to end such actions and respect regional human rights obligations.

“Our message to East African governments is clear: stop torturing activists. These governments must honour the agreements under the East African Convention and not become perpetrators of human rights violations,” he said.

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• Tortured activist Mwagodi to undergo psychological and forensic evaluation
• say rights groups