Fear and uncertainty have gripped the coastal town of Lunga Lunga following the disappearance of Kenyan journalist Shoka Juma, whose whereabouts remain unknown days after he was reportedly abducted near the Lunga Lunga–Horohoro border.
Juma, a reporter with Kwale Nyota TV, had been working alongside human rights activists to document the growing disruption in cross-border trade that followed recent post-election unrest.
Their mission, aimed at highlighting the struggles faced by truck drivers and small traders caught between tense political climates, was abruptly interrupted when armed men believed to be Tanzanian security officers confronted the group.
Witnesses say the men appeared suddenly, ordered everyone to stop recording, and forcibly took Juma away in a vehicle.
The activists accompanying him were reportedly threatened and told not to follow. Since then, no one has heard from the journalist, and repeated attempts to trace him across both sides of the border have failed.
His disappearance has caused deep worry among journalists, activists, and families in the region, sparking calls for immediate action from both Kenyan and Tanzanian authorities.
So far, neither government has issued an official statement, leaving the incident shrouded in silence and speculation.
Some believe the abduction could be linked to increasing tensions surrounding border control and the handling of trade after the elections, while others suggest it reflects a deeper issue of shrinking space for press freedom in the region.
Juma was known for his fearless reporting on sensitive political and social matters, often covering stories that exposed challenges faced by ordinary citizens along Kenya’s southern border.
Media organizations across Kenya have strongly condemned the abduction, describing it as a dangerous attack on journalism and the public’s right to information.
The Kenya Union of Journalists and several human rights bodies have called for a joint investigation to determine Juma’s fate and to ensure accountability.
International media freedom groups have also expressed alarm, warning that the case sets a worrying precedent for journalists working in politically volatile areas.
Juma’s family, deeply distressed by his disappearance, has pleaded with both governments to prioritize his safe return.
His wife and siblings have urged the authorities not to allow politics or bureaucracy to delay rescue efforts. Civil society groups in Kwale and Mombasa are organizing peaceful demonstrations to demand answers and to remind officials that the protection of journalists is a shared responsibility.
