A Tanzanian opposition figure, Apolinary Boniface Margwe, has narrowly escaped a kidnapping attempt in Kenya. Margwe, who runs social media for Tanzania's main opposition party, Chadema, was ambushed along with another Chadema member, Twaha Mwaipaya, while riding in a taxi in Kenya's Machakos county. A 4x4 vehicle forced their taxi off the road and three masked men emerged with guns. Margwe managed to escape, but Mwaipaya was taken away and remains missing.
Margwe had been in hiding in Kenya for just over a year following a wave of violent abductions in his home country ahead of elections in October 2025. He had received threats on social media, with Tanzanians telling him: 'Nairobi is not far. We're going to come and get you.' Margwe is now worried about his safety and has been forced to go into hiding once again. His ordeal highlights the threat of cross-border abductions in east Africa.
Tanzanian rights activist Maria Sarungi has accused Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan's "notorious death squad in Kenya" of being behind the abduction. Sarungi was herself abducted in Nairobi in January 2025, but was released hours later following intense lobbying by rights groups and the media. Mwaipaya's abduction is being investigated, but a police spokesperson told AFP he was unaware of the case.
Human rights groups have expressed concern over the increasing number of cross-border abductions in east Africa. Amnesty International fears Kenya is in "cahoots with its regional neighbours to facilitate... cross-border repression". The rights group's Kenyan director George Morara said: "The foundations upon which that world order was set are increasingly crumbling. Actors across regions are coming together to support each other in their effort to roll back the gains of democracy."
This is not an isolated incident, as there have been several cases of cross-border abductions in recent years. In May 2025, Kenyan Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi acknowledged that his government had "cooperated with the Ugandan authorities" in the abduction of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye in Nairobi. In October 2024, four Turkish nationals were abducted in Nairobi and forcibly returned to Turkey despite having refugee status.
Kenyan citizens have also been victims of abductions in neighbouring countries. Last year, Kenyan rights activist Boniface Mwangi was kidnapped after travelling to Tanzania to support opposition figure Tundu Lissu, who is on trial for treason. Mwangi was beaten for days and subjected to sexual torture before being released. He described being abducted as "the most violent thing that can happen to you".
The increasing number of cross-border abductions has raised concerns about Kenya's status as a safe haven for dissidents. Kenya has for decades offered refuge to dissidents from across the region, but lately its status as a safe haven has looked less secure. Rights groups and activists are calling for the Kenyan government to take action to protect its citizens and those seeking refuge in the country.
Key points
- - A Tanzanian opposition figure narrowly escaped a kidnapping attempt in Kenya. - Human rights groups have expressed concern over the increasing number of cross-border abductions in east Africa. - Kenya's status as a safe haven for dissidents is under threat due to the increasing number of cross-border abductions.
