World · Africa · 8 hrs ago
Italian reporter remains in Kenya as investigation into woman's death continues
Italian freelance reporter Mattia Sorbi has been held in Kenya for more than 40 days while authorities investigate a woman’s death.
His friend Caroline Abbo, a Ugandan woman staying at a rented villa in Diani Beach, drowned in its pool.
Kenyan authorities are waiting for an autopsy and investigating the death; Sorbi’s passport has been retained, preventing him from leaving the country.
Italy’s Foreign Ministry and embassy in Nairobi are following his case and seeking to help him return home.
A Kenyan court has ordered the autopsy and investigation to be completed within a week, a step that could help resolve the case.
Sorbi also says he needs foot surgery in Milan for injuries from an explosion in Ukraine in 2022, and the operation was scheduled for today.
Italian freelance reporter Mattia Sorbi remains in Kenya while authorities investigate the death of his friend Caroline Abbo.
Abbo, a Ugandan woman, drowned in the swimming pool of a rented villa in Diani Beach.
Sorbi’s passport has been retained, and he is being held pending the autopsy results.
A Kenyan court ordered police and prosecutors to complete the autopsy as soon as possible and conclude the investigation within a week.
Italy’s Foreign Ministry and embassy in Nairobi are following the case as Sorbi seeks to return home.
- Who
- Mattia Sorbi, an Italian freelance reporter, remains in Kenya. The woman who died was his friend, Caroline Abbo.
- What
- Sorbi is unable to leave Kenya while an investigation into Abbo’s death continues.
- When
- He had been held for 40 days as of the article’s publication on November 5, 2026.
- Where
- Diani Beach, Kenya.
- Why
- He is being held pending the autopsy results and investigative checks into Abbo’s death.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Sorbi was caught in an explosion while reporting from the Ukraine front.
Italy’s Foreign Ministry began following Sorbi’s case.
A Kenyan court ordered police and prosecutors to carry out the autopsy promptly and conclude the investigation within a week.
- Reporter
- Mattia Sorbi, 47
- Woman who died
- Caroline Abbo, a Ugandan woman
- Location
- A rented villa in Diani Beach, Kenya
- Time held
- 40 days as of November 5, 2026
- Court deadline
- Investigation to be concluded within a week