A Tanzanian dissident, and former opposition official, Twaha Mwaipaya, was abducted in Kenya on Sunday, Amnesty International said.
Tanzania’s government has cracked down heavily on the opposition and been accused of attempting to abduct dissidents who have taken refuge in neighbouring Kenya.
Mwaipaya was a leading youth organiser for the main opposition party, Chadema, and was jailed in 2022 for criticising the government.
He posts regularly to almost 600,000 Instagram followers against the government of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who is accused by the opposition of brutal repression, including the killing of thousands of protesters during elections a year ago.
Amnesty said Mwaipaya was kidnapped while in a taxi to visit friends “by individuals travelling in three vehicles”. It said the abduction happene in Kamulu, Machakos County, just east of Nairobi on Sunday afternoon.
“Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to reach out immediately. Authorities must urgently establish his whereabouts and ensure his safety,” the rights group said on X.
In January 2025, renowned Tanzanian rights activist Maria Sarungi Tsehai was kidnapped in similar circumstances in Nairobi but released before she could be smuggled across the border after an outcry by rights groups and the media.
The same happened to another rights activist, Mshabaha Mshabaha Hamza, in February.
Twaha Mwaipaya, a Tanzanian national, was reportedly abducted at around 2pm today in Kamulu, Machakos County, by individuals travelling in three vehicles, including a Toyota Land Cruiser hardtop.
He was travelling by taxi to visit friends. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to reach out immediately. Authorities must urgently establish his whereabouts and ensure his safety.
Please share widely. #FreeTwahaMwaipaya
— Amnesty Kenya (@AmnestyKenya) October 25, 2026
Source: AFP