Civil society organisations have strongly condemned the abduction of Tanzanian activist Twaha Salim Mwaipaya in Kenya on Sunday. Mwaipaya, a vocal critic of Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan's administration, was allegedly grabbed by unidentified armed men at around 2pm at Kamulu in Machakos County. According to Amnesty International Kenya, the abductors used three vehicles, including a Toyota Land Cruiser.
Mwaipaya had fled to Kenya seeking safety in exile after an earlier abduction and severe torture by Tanzanian police. He was travelling in a taxi to visit friends when his vehicle was intercepted at Kamulu. Chadema vice-chairman John Heche said efforts to reach Kenyan authorities overnight had yielded no fruit, and appealed to Kenyan President William Ruto to ensure that Mwaipaya is alive and safe.
Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International Kenya, the Pan African Solidarity Network (PASNet), and the Defenders Coalition, have expressed grave concerns over Mwaipaya's abduction. They accuse Kenya of turning into a hunting ground for exiled dissidents. PASNet demanded immediate intervention to establish Mwaipaya's whereabouts, protect his life, and secure his safe and unconditional release.
The organisations fear that Mwaipaya may be forcibly renditioned to Tanzania, where his safety is heavily compromised. They cited a similar incident involving Tanzanian activist Maria Sarungi Tsehai, who survived a brief abduction in Nairobi in early 2025. The groups also referenced the abduction of Ugandan opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye in Nairobi in November 2024 and his forcible return to Uganda.
Rights organisations have raised concerns about a pattern of transnational repression, where governments pursue individuals in exile. They cited the killing of Rwandan dissident Robert Kabera, who was found beheaded near Kampala, Uganda, on October 17, 2026. PASNet demanded an immediate, independent investigation into possible coordination and accountability for those involved in Mwaipaya's abduction.
Given Tanzania's documented record of extrajudicial killings, torture, and enforced disappearances, civil society members fear for Mwaipaya's safety. They urged Kenyan authorities to act swiftly to save his life, treating this as an immediate threat, and preventing any secret transfer across the border into Tanzania.
The political movement Linda Mwananchi also demanded that Kenyan authorities investigate, locate Mwaipaya, and guarantee his protection against illegal deportation. The movement stated that Kenya must not become a place where people escaping repression are tracked down, abducted, and delivered back into the hands of those they fear.
Key points
- Civil society organisations condemn the abduction of Tanzanian activist Twaha Salim Mwaipaya in Kenya.
- Mwaipaya's abduction has raised concerns about a pattern of transnational repression in the region.
- Rights groups demand Kenyan authorities intervene to ensure Mwaipaya's safe release.
