Dar es Salaam – Police in the city have arrested a prominent social media influencer just two days before the October 29 general election, accusing her of inciting violence after she participated in a TikTok challenge using words from President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s campaign rally.
Jenifer Bilikwiza Jovin, a 26-year-old businesswoman known as Niffer, was arrested on October 27 at around 3 pm in the Sinza Kumekucha area of Dar es Salaam. According to Dar es Salaam Special Zone Police Commander Jumanne Muliro, she faces allegations of inciting violence and destruction of infrastructure in various parts of the city ahead of the general election.
Muliro stated that Niffer is accused of encouraging people to cause chaos on election day, inciting attacks on petrol stations, and calling for assaults on police officers through social media and other channels. The arrest sparked outrage on social media platforms, with witnesses claiming that plainclothes officers stormed her business premises before taking her away.
It remains unclear precisely how Niffer allegedly participated in inciting the unrest police describe. However, her arrest came days after she participated in a TikTok challenge, recording a video set to music that incorporated words from one of President Samia’s campaign rallies.
In assuring citizens there would be no demonstrations, President Samia had stated “There will be no nywinywinywi or nywanywanywa” ( suggesting chaos or disorder), words that some people turned into music and made into a popular TikTok trend.
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The arrest represents the latest escalation in a government crackdown on dissent ahead of Wednesday’s election. On Monday, October 28, just one day before voting begins, police issued another stern warning to citizens and residents of Mwanza and other regions.
The Mwanza Regional Police Commander stated that whilst citizens have the right to vote freely according to their conscience, they do not have the right to disrupt peace or engage in violence. The statement warned that anyone attempting to cause chaos, destroy property, or incite violence would face immediate legal consequences.
The intensifying security measures come as authorities face growing calls on social media for street demonstrations on election day to protest corruption, government waste, and deteriorating public services. Police have arrested individuals accused of discouraging voter turnout, including one person in the Tabora region for writing on walls: “Don’t go vote, go to demonstrations on the 29th.”
The election takes place against a backdrop of systematic opposition exclusion. CHADEMA’s national chairperson, Tundu Lissu, remains detained on treason charges related to the party’s No Reforms, No Election campaign, whilst six party officials are in police custody in Kagera region on allegations of misusing social media for incitement.
ACT Wazalendo’s presidential candidate, Luhaga Mpina, was disqualified by the Independent National Electoral Commission after the High Court ruled on October 16 that it lacked jurisdiction to hear his constitutional challenge. The ruling has left President Samia facing seventeen largely unknown candidates lacking the resources or recognition necessary for serious presidential campaigns.
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Alongside the security crackdown, the government has rolled out measures interpreted as designed to encourage voter participation. These include allowing voters who have lost their voter cards to use alternative identification, announcing 17,710 new public sector job vacancies, and declaring a 33.4 per cent increase in the private sector minimum wage effective January 1, 2026.
The government’s concern about voter turnout reflects historical patterns. Whilst the number of registered voters has increased by 26.53 per cent from 29.7 million in 2020 to 37.6 million in 2025, registration figures do not guarantee participation. The 2020 election, for example, saw 49.27 per cent of registered voters stay away from the polls, with only 50.72 per cent participating.
