Boniface Mwangi, a well-known Kenyan activist, was released on Thursday morning after being held in Tanzania for three days.
His arrest caused concern among rights groups and sparked a diplomatic standoff between Kenya and Tanzania. Mwangi was taken into custody in Dar es Salaam while attending a court hearing involving Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu. Alongside him was Ugandan journalist and activist Agather Atuhaire. Their sudden disappearance worried families and supporters who could not reach them or confirm their location.
Mwangi had traveled to Tanzania to support Lissu, who is facing treason charges. The Tanzanian authorities did not provide any official explanation for the arrest or the conditions of detention. During his visit, Mwangi was attending court proceedings peacefully when he and Atuhaire were allegedly detained by individuals believed to be from the Tanzanian military. The lack of communication and transparency around their arrest raised alarm, especially as both went missing without any formal charge or public notice.
The Kenyan government stepped in after Mwangi’s wife and other activists voiced fears about his safety. Kenya’s foreign ministry issued a strong message demanding Tanzania either allow consular access to Mwangi or release him immediately. Despite multiple efforts, Kenyan diplomats said they were denied any information or visitation rights. This prompted Kenya to issue a formal protest, citing international law that protects detained foreign nationals.
Mwangi’s release came early Thursday when he was quietly dropped off at the Kenyan border. He was received in Kwale County by Kenya’s human rights commission, which confirmed he was safe and in good spirits. His wife and close friends were also present. From there, plans were made to transfer him to Nairobi for medical evaluation. The Kenyan public welcomed the news with relief, though many remain concerned about the treatment he faced while in custody.
The Tanzanian government has remained silent on the matter. However, earlier this week, President Samia Suluhu Hassan spoke out against foreign activists attending local political events, saying their presence was not welcome. In the past few days, other Kenyan figures, including former Justice Minister Martha Karua, were also deported from Tanzania under similar circumstances. These incidents are raising questions about the shrinking space for political freedom in Tanzania ahead of elections set for October.
Mwangi’s arrest and release have drawn attention across East Africa. Many see this as a sign of rising tensions between nations over political interference and freedom of expression. While Mwangi is now safe, the events have left behind a sense of caution among activists in the region, and the diplomatic strain between Kenya and Tanzania is far from over.