Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi has been released after being held incommunicado for three days by Tanzanian authorities. He is currently in Mombasa and is expected to fly to Nairobi, according to Hussein Khalid, CEO of Vocal Africa, who spoke to Citizen Digital.
Mwangi was detained on Monday by individuals believed to be military personnel. He had travelled to Tanzania to attend court proceedings for opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who is facing treason charges.
He was part of a delegation of East African lawyers and activists who aimed to show support for Lissu. However, most of the group was denied entry into Tanzania upon arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam on Sunday and Monday. They were subsequently detained and deported to Nairobi.
On Monday evening, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu stated in a national address that foreign activists would not be allowed to “interfere” in the country’s internal affairs.
Mwangi’s detention sparked concern from the Kenyan government. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement indicating that Tanzanian officials had refused to provide access to the detained activist.
“Despite several requests, officials of the Government of Kenya have been denied consular access and information regarding Mr Mwangi,” the statement read.
The ministry called upon Tanzania to grant consular access or facilitate Mwangi’s release without delay, citing international diplomatic protocols and legal obligations.
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