Viola Mtetezi, a prominent Tanzanian activist known for her vocal advocacy for good governance and electoral reforms, has become a trending figure on social media amid Kenya’s violent nationwide protests on June 25, 2025. People have been asking on the internet who the vocal activist Viola Mtetezi is.
The protests, commemorating the first anniversary of the deadly 2024 anti-government demonstrations, resulted in at least 16 fatalities and over 400 injuries, with Amnesty International attributing most deaths to police action.
While Mtetezi’s activism is primarily centred in Tanzania, her recent posts on X have drawn attention in Kenya, where youth-led protests against corruption, police brutality, and government policies echo her calls for justice and accountability.
Mtetezi, known on Instagram as @viola_mtetezi, is a leading voice in Tanzania’s #NoReformsNoElection movement, advocating for free and fair elections.
On June 21, 2025, she posted a statement claiming she received credible information that unidentified individuals, allegedly acting on orders “from above”, were planning to abduct her due to her activism.
Since then, X posts indicate that Mtetezi has gone into hiding, with supporters expressing concern over her safety. “ Viola Mtetezi is a brave young activist who only wants a better Tanzania.
These claims remain unverified, but they have amplified discussions about the risks faced by activists in East Africa.
Kenya’s protests, which saw thousands march in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu, were driven by similar grievances: corruption, rising costs of living, and police brutality.
The demonstrations marked the 2024 storming of parliament over the controversial finance bill, which left over 60 dead. On June 25, 2025, clashes with police using tear gas, rubber bullets, and allegedly live ammunition led to 16 deaths, with eight fatalities reported in Nairobi alone, according to the Kenya Medical Association and the Law Society of Kenya.
Amnesty International reported that 83 individuals required specialised treatment for injuries, including gunshot wounds, highlighting the intensity of the police response.
Mtetezi’s situation has resonated with Kenyan activists, who see parallels between her plight and the abductions of over 80 government critics in Kenya since 2024, with 26 still missing, per the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
The recent death of Kenyan blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody, confirmed by autopsy to be due to assault, has further fuelled public anger. Protesters in Kenya carried white crosses to honour those killed, chanting slogans like “Ruto must go” to demand an end to police brutality and governance failures.
The Kenyan government’s response, including a controversial directive by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) to halt live protest coverage, has drawn criticism for stifling press freedom.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga, who joined the Nairobi protests, called the demonstrations “the beginning of Kenya’s third liberation”. Despite the CAK’s order, some media outlets defied the ban, continuing live broadcasts to ensure transparency.
Mtetezi’s activism, though focused on Tanzania, underscores the shared struggles across East Africa, where youth are increasingly vocal against systemic issues.
Her reported need to hide from authorities mirrors the fears of Kenyan protesters facing abductions and violence. Social media posts describe her as a “shujaa” (hero), with @MariaSTsehai claiming she is targeted by a “notorious abduction and kill squad” in Tanzania.
These allegations have sparked calls for international attention from groups like Amnesty International and the UN Human Rights Council.
As Kenya grapples with the aftermath of the June 25 protests, Mtetezi’s story highlights the dangers faced by activists challenging powerful systems.
The region’s youth, inspired by figures like Mtetezi, continue to demand reforms, risking their safety for justice. With tensions high and investigations ongoing, the spotlight remains on both Kenya’s protest crackdowns and Mtetezi’s uncertain fate.
