By Mandere Onyinkwa
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and Amnesty International (AI) Kenya have praised security agencies for the swift rescue of Tanzanian human rights defender Mshabaha Mshabaha Hamza.
The two organisations also welcomed the arrest of three suspects linked to what they described as a violent, premeditated abduction and attempted forceful rendition to Tanzania.
In a joint statement issued in Nairobi on Monday and signed by AI Kenya Section Director Irungu Houghton and LSK President Faith Odhiambo, the two organisations praised officers from Lukenya and Kyumbi Police Posts, DCI Kyumbi, and other national and county security agencies for their coordinated response on Sunday, February 22, which led to Hamza’s rescue.
According to documents presented before court, police acted promptly after Hamza resisted his attackers and was later dumped at Lukenya stage while drugged and injured.
Officers intercepted the suspects’ vehicle and arrested three occupants identified as Edward Mwangi Mwai, a Kenyan residing in South Africa, Nelson Wanjohi Kirika, the driver, and Aziz Hamad, a Tanzanian national.
The statement described Hamza as a well-known Tanzanian human rights defender who has been active in regional advocacy on democracy, accountability and justice, particularly in the aftermath of the 2025 post-election violence in Tanzania.
He is also a member of the Pan-African Solidarity Network, a collective committed to resisting authoritarianism across Africa.
Amnesty International Kenya and the Law Society of Kenya said they welcomed what they termed as the decisive intervention by Kenyan authorities to protect Hamza’s life and prevent his forced removal across the border.
They noted that the action reflects Kenya’s constitutional and international obligations to safeguard all individuals within its territory, especially human rights defenders who face heightened risks.
The two organisations called for a full, transparent and impartial investigation into the identities, motives and networks allegedly involved in the attempted abduction, including individuals who may have been waiting to receive Hamza at the Kenya-Tanzania border.
They further demanded accountability not only for the suspects already arrested but also for any other individuals, whether in Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa or elsewhere, who may have planned, financed or directed the attack.
They urged closer collaboration between human rights organisations and Kenyan authorities to strengthen protection mechanisms for activists, particularly those in exile or operating in cross-border contexts.
The statement warned that attempts to abduct, harm or silence activists undermine fundamental freedoms across the East African region and stressed that Kenya must ensure its territory is not used for transnational repression, rendition or attacks against those exercising their right to defend human rights.
The organisations said they will continue monitoring the case closely while supporting efforts aimed at securing justice for Hamza and enhancing the safety of human rights defenders working in Kenya and across the region.