By Judy Maina
NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi has been released by Tanzanian authorities after being detained for attempting to attend the treason trial of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu in Dar es Salaam.
Mwangi was received by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) in Kwale County and is being transferred to Nairobi for medical attention following reports of severe torture during his detention.
Mwangi, a prominent human rights advocate, was arrested on Monday alongside Ugandan lawyer Agather Atuhaire. They had traveled to Tanzania to observe Lissu’s court appearance, which has drawn international attention amid concerns over political repression in the country.
Tanzanian authorities accused Mwangi of providing false information to gain entry into the country.
During his detention, Mwangi was reportedly held incommunicado and subjected to severe torture. Upon his release, he recounted his ordeal, stating,
“I have gone through four very dark days. I have been tortured very badly; I can barely walk.” He expressed concern for Atuhaire, who was separated from him during detention and whose whereabouts remain unknown.
The Kenyan government had demanded consular access to Mwangi, expressing concern over his health and the lack of information regarding his detention. Despite repeated requests,
Tanzanian authorities did not provide access or information, prompting Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Ministry to issue a formal protest.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania has faced criticism over the arrests, with human rights groups accusing her administration of cracking down on dissent ahead of the upcoming elections.
In response to the presence of foreign activists, President Hassan warned against external interference, stating that she would not allow activists from neighboring countries to “meddle” in Tanzania’s affairs and cause “chaos.”
The situation has raised concerns about the state of political freedoms in Tanzania and the treatment of activists.
Mwangi’s release has been welcomed by human rights organizations, but the continued detention of Atuhaire and the broader implications for civil liberties in the region remain pressing issues.
