Kenyan reporter abducted in Kwale by 'Tanzanians'

A Tanzanian police officer stops a man accused by electoral officials of attempting to taint the voting process at a polling station in Stone Town on October 29, 2025, during Tanzania's presidential elections.[AFP]

A Kenyan television reporter has been abducted at the Lungalunga border post in Kwale County by four men believed to be Tanzanian security officers.

Shoka Juma of Kwale-based Nyota TV had Friday morning, accompanied Kenyan human rights activists on a fact-finding mission at the border point.

The human rights crusaders were on a fact-finding mission after several vehicles were stuck at the border following the presidential election violence in Tanzania.

Muslims for Human Rights rapid response officer Francis Auma, Concerned Citizens' Bradley Ouna and Vocal Africa's Walid Sketty escaped from the dragnet.

The human rights activists said although they were safe, they feared for the life of the reporter under the Tanzanian security men.

Auma said four men in plain clothes abducted Mr Juma and later used his phone to ask them to go for him.

He said they had run away for dear life as the Tanzanian men gave chase. He explained that the abductors just emerged when they were still on the Kenyan side and arrested the reporter and pursued them as they viewed the fleet of vehicles, some with cargo, stuck at the border.

"Those men targeted us as human rights activists and not the reporter. They used his phone to ask us to go for him but we declined. As we speak, Juma is in the hands of Tanzanian authorities and we fear for his life following the current security situation there," Auma said.

He said there was no activity at the border and cargo clearance had been stopped.

Auma also said nobody was allowed to use the Lungalunga border post at Horohoro to enter Tanzania.

Auma said they were driving to Diani Police Station in Msambweni Sub-county to report the incident.

"We were assisted by private security guards to get to our car which we had parked far away from the border," he explained.

Ouna said the reporter, who was carrying a camera, tripod stand and a bag, was captured at 10 a.m. when he was abducted at 10 a.m.

"We were able to escape but unfortunately Juma was captured," said Ouna.

Tanzanian security officers have also been reported to be guarding border posts to stop Kenyans from entering that country during the controversial presidential election held on October 2.