Martha Karua condemns abduction of Tanzanian medical workers
By Faith Lagat, November 21, 2025People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has criticised the Tanzanian government over the reported abduction of medical workers, calling it a “confession of complicity” in covering up election-related atrocities.
Her post on X, dated November 21, 2025, cited allegations that police abducted hospital staff at Mwananyamala Hospital for leaking footage of bodies in the morgue following the violent crackdown on October 29 protests.
“@tanpol @SuluhuSamia don’t you think that abducting medical workers in an attempt to cover up atrocities committed on the 29 October and continuing, is a confession of your complicity #FreeMeducalWorkersTz #EndAbductionsTZ #ReleaseAllPoliticalPrisonersTZ,” Karua wrote.
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The post amplified regional concerns over ongoing detentions and a government-led inquiry into the unrest.
Reports of abductions
The controversy began on November 20, when activist Mbishi (@bizy94) shared a viral post claiming that Tanzanian police had abducted medical workers at Mwananyamala Hospital after they leaked footage of bodies stacked in the morgue.
Similar reports from hospital insiders stated that police confiscated phones and forced staff to delete evidence.
One nurse from Mbeya said 39 gunshot victims were admitted after the morgue overflowed, only for police to later remove the bodies.
“#BREAKING: Tanzanian police @tanpol have ABDUCTED medical workers at Mwananyamala Hospital for leaking horrific footage of victims from the Oct 29 election massacre! Piled bodies in the morgue evidence of Suluhu Samia’s @SuluhuSamia brutal crackdown. Doctors silenced by force!” read Karua’s X post.
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Opposition figures, including Maria Sarungi Tsehai, warned that staff were being tortured to suppress evidence and called for solidarity strikes by medical associations.
The posts included images of shrouded bodies, which were widely shared and tagged to global media outlets such as BBC World, CNN, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch.
Government response and inquiry
On November 20, President Samia Suluhu Hassan launched a formal commission of inquiry into the post-election violence.
Speaking in Dodoma, she said: “Lakini kwa ufupi nataka kusema yafuatayo. Kwanza, nadhani tume tunaitarajia ikatuangalizie sababu hasa iliyoleta kadhia ile. Lakini jambo lile lilotokea, vijana waliingizwa barabarani kudai haki.”
The commission is tasked with examining the causes of the unrest, the role of political parties, and the involvement of local and foreign organisations.
Also watch: AU election observers say Tanzania polls marred by glaring irregularities
Hassan also questioned whether youths acted under external influence, adding: “Walilipwa fedha kwanza, ndio wakaingia barabarani. Nje fedha zilitoka wapi? Kwa hivyo hayo tukayaangalie.”
The inquiry follows calls from UN High Commissioner Volker Türk for a thorough investigation into hundreds of deaths and human rights violations during the polls.
Human Rights Watch reported the use of lethal force, live ammunition, and internet blackouts, with morgues overwhelmed by casualties.