Tanzanian opposition activist reported missing in Kenya

October 26, 2026 9:03 AM EDT

Pan African Solidarity Network human rights activist Shakira Wafula speaks during a press conference on the disappearance of Tanzanian activist Twaha Mwaipaya, in Nairobi, Kenya, October 26, 2026. REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi

NAIROBI, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Tanzanian ‌opposition activist ​Twaha ​Mwaipaya was reported missing in Kenya on Sunday, according to a police report seen by Reuters, ‌in the latest case involving the disappearance of ⁠a government critic in the East African country.

• Mwaipaya was travelling by ‌taxi to visit friends ‌in Kamulu, around 35 km (22 miles) east of Nairobi, when three unidentified men intercepted him at about 2 p.m. (1100 ​GMT) on Sunday, Amnesty International researcher Sikula Oniala told Reuters

• The men ordered the taxi driver to ⁠get out of the vehicle before they drove away with Mwaipaya inside, Oniala said

• ​Reuters could not independently verify Amnesty's account. It was not immediately clear who took Mwaipaya, ​whether he remained in Kenya or ‌whether he had been harmed

• Kenyan and Tanzanian police spokespeople did not immediately respond to ⁠requests for comment

• The case follows reported cross-border abductions of government critics in Kenya

• Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye was abducted ⁠in Nairobi in November 2024, later appeared before a military court in ​Uganda, and has since been charged with treason

• Tanzanian activist Maria Sarungi Tsehai was briefly detained in Nairobi in January 2025

• John Heche, ‌vice-chairman of Tanzania's main opposition CHADEMA party, whose leader Tundu Lissu is on trial for ‌treason, urged the Kenyan authorities to help find Mwaipaya

• "Nairobi cannot remain ⁠an abduction hub for ‌dictators," Heche said

(Reporting by ​Edwin Okoth and Humphrey Malalo; Writing by Vincent Mumo Nzilani; Editing by Ammu Kannampilly and Joe ‌Bavier)



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