Prominent Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi has been detained in Tanzania under unclear circumstances, sparking concern among regional human rights advocates and his family. Mwangi was arrested at the Serena Hotel in Dar es Salaam, where he had traveled to attend a court session for Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, currently facing treason charges.
Mwangi, a vocal critic of corruption and police brutality in Kenya, was among several East African activists who had shown up in solidarity with Lissu, whose party, Chadema, has been barred from participating in the upcoming October elections. Tensions around Lissu’s trial have been mounting, with Tanzanian authorities recently denying entry to several international observers, including Kenyan presidential candidate Martha Karua, who was deported upon arrival.
Mwangi’s wife, Njeri, told AFP she had been unable to reach him since his arrest. “I have been told they are waiting for the government of Tanzania to consult and decide whether to charge him or to deport him,” she said.
According to Mwangi’s lawyer, Jebra Kambole, he and Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire were taken into custody Monday and spent the night at the central police station in Dar es Salaam.
The crackdown on foreign activists comes shortly after Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan made a public statement warning against external interference. “Security organs must not allow ill-mannered individuals from other countries to cross the line here,” she said Monday.
The developments have drawn criticism from regional observers who say the events reflect a broader trend of democratic backsliding in East Africa. In Uganda, opposition leader Kizza Besigye is also facing treason charges following his alleged kidnapping in Kenya and cross-border transfer. Notably, Karua, denied entry in Tanzania, is representing Besigye in court and reported smooth entry into Uganda for his latest hearing.
Mwangi’s detention remains unresolved, with no formal charges announced. His family and supporters are calling for transparency and his immediate release.
Written By Rodney Mbua
