Human rights activists have condemned the reported abduction of Tanzanian opposition activist Twaha Mwaipaya in Kenya, calling on authorities to establish his whereabouts and guarantee his safety. Mwaipaya, a former youth mobilization official of Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA, was reportedly seized on Sunday while travelling in a taxi in Kamulu, Machakos County, about 35 kilometers east of Nairobi. According to Amnesty International, individuals travelling in three vehicles intercepted the taxi and took Mwaipaya away. His whereabouts remained unknown in reports published on Monday, and those responsible had not been identified.
Mwaipaya previously faced detention in Tanzania and later went into exile in Kenya. He has continued to criticize the government of President Samia Suluhu Hassan through social media, making him a prominent voice among opposition supporters. Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi condemned the incident, warning that the alleged abduction raises serious concerns about the safety of political dissidents seeking refuge in the country. John Kitoka, CHADEMA’s head of foreign affairs, also expressed fears for Mwaipaya’s safety. Amnesty International has urged Kenyan authorities to urgently locate him, protect him from harm and investigate the circumstances of his disappearance.
The incident has renewed concerns about alleged cross-border repression in East Africa, following previous cases involving Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye and Tanzanian activist Maria Sarungi Tsehai, both of whom were reportedly abducted in Nairobi in separate incidents. Human rights organizations have warned that such cases threaten the protection of political exiles and the principle that individuals should not be forcibly transferred across borders outside lawful procedures. As calls for an investigation grow, the immediate priority remains establishing Mwaipaya’s location and ensuring his safety. No verified evidence has publicly established who was behind his reported abduction.
