NAIROBI, Kenya – The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has demanded urgent action to locate missing Tanzanian opposition activist Twaha Salim Mwaipaya, warning that his reported abduction raises fresh concerns over the safety of political exiles and refugees in Kenya.
In a statement issued on Thursday, October 29, the commission called on the government to establish Mwaipaya’s whereabouts, guarantee his safety and investigate those responsible for his disappearance.
Mwaipaya was reportedly seized on Sunday, October 25, while travelling in a taxi to visit friends in Kamulu, Machakos County. According to information cited by the commission, unidentified individuals intercepted the vehicle at about 2pm and forcibly removed him before leaving in a convoy of three vehicles.
His whereabouts remained unknown in the latest accounts reviewed for this report, with the identities of those responsible yet to be established.
The commission said Mwaipaya had fled Tanzania for Kenya in 2025 over fears for his personal safety.
KNCHR Warns Against Cross-Border Abductions
The human rights commission said the reported incident appeared to fit a broader pattern of alleged abductions and unlawful transfers involving foreign nationals living in or seeking refuge in Kenya.
It cited the January 2025 abduction of Tanzanian activist Maria Sarungi Tsehai in Nairobi. She was released later that day following public pressure and intervention by human rights organisations.
The commission also recalled the November 2024 case involving Ugandan opposition politician Kizza Besigye, who was reportedly abducted in Nairobi and taken to Uganda.
Another case involved four Turkish nationals who had been living in Kenya as refugees. The government confirmed in October 2024 that they had been repatriated to Turkey following a request from Ankara, prompting criticism from human rights organisations over Kenya’s refugee-protection obligations.
KNCHR said such incidents raised questions about the protection of people at risk, the rule of law and Kenya’s constitutional and international human rights obligations.
It warned that the reported cases could undermine the country’s reputation as a place of safety for people fleeing political persecution and threats to their lives.
Government Urged to Establish Activist’s Whereabouts
The commission said Kenya had a duty to protect the rights of every person within its jurisdiction, irrespective of nationality or immigration status.
It cited Articles 26, 28, 29 and 49 of the Constitution, which address the right to life, human dignity, freedom and security of the person, and safeguards for arrested individuals.
Where an enforced disappearance is suspected, KNCHR said, the authorities must conduct prompt, independent and effective investigations, establish the missing person’s fate and whereabouts, and hold those responsible accountable under the law.
The commission also emphasised the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning people to places where they face a real risk of persecution or other serious harm covered by applicable refugee and human rights protections.
It called on the government to ensure that refugees, asylum seekers, political exiles and other people at risk are protected from unlawful transfers.
The commission did not identify the individuals behind Mwaipaya’s reported disappearance or establish whether state officers were involved. Its statement called for investigations to determine the circumstances and responsibility.
Tanzania Says It Is Following Up
The reported disappearance has also drawn attention from Tanzanian authorities.
Tanzania’s High Commissioner to Kenya, Bernard Kibesse, said on October 26 that the embassy was following up on the reports but had not received an official account of the incident at that point.
Separately, rights groups have pressed Kenyan authorities to locate Mwaipaya and ensure his safety. The human rights organisation Vocal Africa also moved to court seeking orders requiring police to produce him before the High Court and disclose the legal basis for any detention.
The legal action adds pressure on authorities to clarify whether Mwaipaya is being held in custody or whether he remains missing.
KNCHR Appeals for Information
KNCHR Chairperson Claris Ogangah said the commission would continue monitoring the matter and urged the government to take urgent steps to protect Mwaipaya and ensure accountability for any violations.
The commission also appealed to members of the public with information about the activist’s disappearance to come forward.
Information can be shared with KNCHR through email at haki@knchr.org, SMS on 22359, WhatsApp on 0798 849 871, or its toll-free line, 0800 720 627.
