NAIROBI, Kenya- Amnesty International says Tanzanian national Twaha Mwaipaya was abducted in Kamulu, Machakos County, on Sunday afternoon and is urging Kenyan authorities to urgently establish his whereabouts and ensure his safety.
The rights group said Mwaipaya was travelling in a taxi to visit friends when individuals in three vehicles intercepted him at about 2pm.
One of the vehicles was described as a Toyota Land Cruiser Hardtop.
In a statement, Amnesty called on anyone with information about Mwaipaya’s location to contact authorities immediately.
Mwaipaya has been described in reports as a Tanzanian opposition official.
The report has renewed concern over the safety of foreign activists in Kenya and the possibility of people being seized on Kenyan territory and taken across borders.
Previous cases involving activists in Kenya
The reported abduction recalls the case of Ugandan opposition politician Kizza Besigye, who went missing in Nairobi in November 2024.
Four days later, Besigye appeared before a military court in Kampala, where he faced charges including possession of a firearm and seeking military support abroad.
He denied the charges and remains in custody under deplorable conditions.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei said the government was investigating how Besigye was transferred from Kenya to Uganda, while denying Kenyan government involvement.
The episode drew scrutiny from human rights organisations over the circumstances of his transfer and the legal process followed.
A separate incident involving Tanzanian human rights defender Mshabaha Mshabaha Hamza took place in Kenya in February 2026.
The Law Society of Kenya and Amnesty International Kenya said Kenyan police rescued Hamza during an abduction attempt and arrested three suspects.
The two organisations described the incident as an apparent attempt to forcibly take him to Tanzania and called for a full investigation.
Amnesty’s appeal asks anyone with credible information about Mwaipaya to alert the authorities.
The group says officials should act urgently to locate him and confirm his safety.
