Kenya’s Office of the Government Spokesperson says it has yet to receive an official report on the alleged abduction of Tanzanian opposition activist Twaha Mwaipaya, as Tanzania’s main opposition party calls on President William Ruto to intervene and help locate him.
The office told BBC Swahili that it was following up on the incident after Mwaipaya was reported missing in Kamulu, Machakos County, on Sunday, October 25, 2026.
“We have not yet received information regarding that incident, so we are following up on it,” the office told the broadcaster.
The statement comes amid growing concern over Mwaipaya’s whereabouts, with human rights organisations and political groups demanding urgent action to establish his location and ensure his safety.
According to Amnesty International Kenya, Mwaipaya was travelling in a taxi to visit friends when he was allegedly intercepted at around 2pm by individuals using three vehicles, including a Toyota Land Cruiser Hardtop.
According to Amnesty International Kenya researcher Sikula Oniala, three unidentified men ordered the taxi driver to get out before driving away with Mwaipaya still inside the vehicle.
Mwaipaya’s whereabouts remain unknown, and the circumstances surrounding his reported abduction have yet to be established.
Tanzania’s opposition party, Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), has appealed to President Ruto to intervene and ensure the activist is found alive and safe.
In a statement on Tuesday, October 27, the party urged Kenyan authorities to establish Mwaipaya’s whereabouts, protect him and investigate the incident.
CHADEMA also called for accountability for those responsible, warning that alleged abductions and intimidation targeting political opponents threaten the safety of citizens and undermine the rule of law.
The Defenders Coalition and Amnesty International Kenya have similarly called for immediate action to locate Mwaipaya. Their concerns have renewed attention on allegations of cross-border repression targeting political dissidents and human rights defenders in East Africa.
The Linda Mwananchi Movement has also condemned the reported abduction, demanding that Kenyan authorities disclose Mwaipaya’s whereabouts, guarantee his safety and investigate the incident independently.
The movement warned against any forced removal of the activist from Kenya, arguing that the country must protect people seeking safety from political persecution.
Mwaipaya is associated with CHADEMA and has served as a mobilisation coordinator in the party’s youth wing. His reported disappearance has raised concerns among opposition figures and rights advocates about the safety of government critics operating outside their home countries.
The case has drawn comparisons with previous reported incidents involving foreign political figures in Kenya. Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye was abducted in Nairobi in November 2024 and later appeared before a military court in Uganda, while Tanzanian activist Maria Sarungi Tsehai was briefly detained in Nairobi in January 2025.
The cases have intensified calls for investigations into allegations of unlawful detention and cross-border targeting of political opponents.
As of the latest reports reviewed on Tuesday, Mwaipaya’s whereabouts remained unknown and Kenyan security authorities had not publicly confirmed the circumstances of his disappearance.
The immediate concern remains his safety, with CHADEMA and human rights organisations urging Kenyan authorities to establish what happened and ensure he is found alive.
