Tanzanian opposition activist Twaha Mwaipaya has been reported missing in Kenya after unidentified men allegedly intercepted the taxi in which he was travelling near Nairobi, raising fresh concerns about the safety of political critics and human rights defenders in East Africa.
Mwaipaya was reported missing on Sunday, October 25, 2026, after travelling towards Kamulu, an area about 35 kilometres east of Nairobi. Information provided to Reuters by an Amnesty International researcher indicated that three unidentified men stopped the taxi, ordered its driver to get out and drove away with Mwaipaya still inside.
His whereabouts remained unknown in reports published on October 26. The circumstances surrounding the incident, the identity of those responsible and whether he had been harmed had not been independently established.
The case has drawn attention from opposition figures and rights advocates, who are calling for Kenyan authorities to establish what happened and ensure the activist’s safety.
What happened to Twaha Mwaipaya?
According to the account shared with Reuters by Amnesty International researcher Sikula Oniala, Mwaipaya was travelling by taxi to visit friends in Kamulu when the vehicle was intercepted at around 2 p.m. on Sunday.
The unidentified men reportedly instructed the taxi driver to leave the vehicle before taking Mwaipaya away. Reuters said it could not independently verify the account, and there was no confirmed information about where the activist had been taken.
The reported disappearance prompted concern among people familiar with Mwaipaya’s political work. Calls for information about his whereabouts intensified as activists urged the authorities to investigate the incident.
Kenyan and Tanzanian police representatives had not immediately responded to Reuters’ requests for comment at the time of publication. No publicly confirmed information established who was responsible for the disappearance.
Mwaipaya’s role in Tanzania’s opposition movement
Mwaipaya is associated with CHADEMA, Tanzania’s main opposition party, and has been involved in its youth wing, known as BAVICHA. He previously served as a national mobilisation coordinator for the youth organisation, according to reporting by Tanzanian outlet The Chanzo.
His political activism has included calls for constitutional reform and greater accountability. The Chanzo reported that he had previously been detained by police, including an incident in 2022 that led CHADEMA to seek legal action requiring authorities to account for his whereabouts.
His reported disappearance has therefore prompted concern not only about his immediate safety but also about the protection of political activists operating across national borders.
CHADEMA urges Kenya to help find the missing activist
John Heche, deputy chairperson of CHADEMA for mainland Tanzania, appealed to Kenyan authorities to assist in locating Mwaipaya.
Heche said the party had spent the night trying to obtain information from relevant Kenyan institutions. He called for urgent efforts to find the activist alive and establish his whereabouts.
The reported disappearance has also drawn criticism from Kenya’s Linda Mwananchi Movement, which called for an independent investigation, disclosure of Mwaipaya’s location and protection against any forced transfer out of Kenya. The group said those responsible should be held accountable, regardless of their nationality or position.
The demands place pressure on Kenyan authorities to clarify whether an investigation has been opened and what steps are being taken to trace the activist.
Renewed concerns over disappearances of government critics
Mwaipaya’s case has revived concerns about reported abductions involving political critics and human rights defenders in East Africa. Kenya has hosted activists from neighbouring countries who have sought refuge or continued their advocacy outside their home countries.
In January 2025, Tanzanian activist Maria Sarungi Tsehai reported being abducted by armed men in Nairobi before being released later that day. Her husband accused Tanzanian intelligence services of involvement, although that allegation was not independently established.
Another case involved Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye, who was reported abducted in Nairobi in November 2024 before later appearing before a military court in Uganda.
These cases have intensified debate about the responsibilities of governments to protect people within their borders, including foreign activists and individuals who may face political persecution.
However, the circumstances of each incident differ, and there is no verified evidence in the reporting available establishing who was responsible for Mwaipaya’s disappearance.
Authorities face calls for answers
The immediate questions surrounding Mwaipaya’s case remain unanswered: where he is, who took him and whether he is safe.
Rights advocates and opposition figures are urging Kenyan authorities to investigate the reported incident, establish his whereabouts and provide information to his family and colleagues. Any findings will be important in determining whether a crime occurred and identifying those responsible.
Until officials confirm further details, the allegations should be treated cautiously. An effective investigation could help clarify the circumstances and address concerns about the safety of political activists in the region.
Tanzanian opposition activist Twaha Mwaipaya was reported missing in Kenya on October 25 after unidentified men allegedly took him from a taxi travelling near Kamulu, east of Nairobi.
His disappearance has prompted CHADEMA figures and human rights advocates to call for an urgent search and an independent investigation. With his whereabouts and the identities of those involved still unconfirmed in the reports reviewed, attention remains on whether Kenyan authorities can establish what happened and ensure his safety.
