Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has denied that police officers arrested or detained missing Tanzanian activist Twaha Mwaipaya, insisting that he is not in police custody anywhere in Kenya.
Kanja made the remarks after appearing in person before the High Court, where he was summoned by Justice Alexander Muteti to respond to concerns surrounding Mwaipaya’s disappearance.
Addressing the court, the police chief said he was aware of the case but maintained that Mwaipaya had never been arrested by officers under his command.
“My Lord, I’d wish to inform this court… we don’t have the subject in our custody throughout the Republic of Kenya,” Kanja told the court.
He further stated that he was unaware of any arrest involving the Tanzanian activist, although he acknowledged that a report concerning the matter had been filed at Ruai Police Station.
“My Lord, I’m aware that a report was made in Ruai Police Station of the subject matter,” he said.
Kanja informed the court that investigations into the disappearance were ongoing and confirmed that the investigating officer was present during the proceedings.
“The subject was at no time arrested by my officers. Since he’s never been in our custody, he can’t have been removed by the same,” he submitted.
Defending the National Police Service against allegations of failing to act on the disappearance, Kanja maintained that reports made at police stations are ordinarily investigated.
He also dismissed claims that police officers were involved in enforced disappearances, insisting that the service does not abduct people.
“Not at all, we don’t abduct and make people disappear,” Kanja said.
“Any abduction is to be treated as an act of criminality,” he added.
The court proceedings follow orders issued by Justice Muteti on October 30, 2026, directing police to produce Mwaipaya before the court, dead or alive, on November 2, 2026.
The judge also required police to present the original detention warrant and explain why the missing activist should not be immediately released.
