NAIROBI, Kenya- Questions are mounting over the whereabouts of former Tanzanian Vice President Emmanuel Nchimbi after retired Prime Minister Joseph Warioba said he has been unable to reach him since Nchimbi resigned from office earlier this week.
Warioba raised the concern on Friday, August 28, 2026, while speaking at the Tanzania Democracy Forum organised by the Tanganyika Law Society.
He said he initially spoke to Nchimbi shortly after learning of his resignation but has since been unable to contact him.
According to Warioba, Nchimbi confirmed that he had resigned when they first spoke on August 25.
He said he later tried calling the former vice president after President Samia Suluhu Hassan formally accepted the resignation, but the calls went unanswered.
Warioba said his attempts continued on August 26 after the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) announced Nchimbi’s expulsion from the party.
“I called his phone, but it was not answered, and I sent a message, but it was not received,” Warioba said, according to reports from the Tanzania Democracy Forum.
Nchimbi resigned on August 25, less than 10 months after taking office, saying he had decided to retire from politics and public service. His resignation is due to take effect on September 4.
In his resignation statement, Nchimbi said he was stepping aside after becoming convinced that President Hassan wanted a different vice president.
He had previously pledged to serve as her deputy and leave office if she wanted a change.
Since announcing his resignation, Nchimbi has made no public appearances and has not posted on his social media accounts.
His sudden disappearance from public view has fuelled speculation, although there is no official confirmation that he has been detained or is being held incommunicado.
