The Government of Kenya has formally demanded the release of prominent activist Boniface Mwangi, who was arrested and is currently detained by Tanzanian authorities.
Mwangi, a Kenyan national, was apprehended earlier this week alongside Ugandan human rights lawyer and activist Agather Atuhaire while attending a court hearing in Tanzania.
In an official diplomatic note dated May 21, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Kenya expressed “deep concern” over the detention of Mwangi and the denial of consular access to him.
“The Ministry notes that, despite several requests, officials of the Government of Kenya have been denied consular access and information to Mr. Mwangi,” the statement read.
“The Ministry is also concerned about his health, overall wellbeing and the absence of information regarding his detention.”
Citing the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (1963), to which both Kenya and Tanzania are signatories, the ministry reminded the Tanzanian government of its obligation to allow consular access.
Specifically, Article 36 of the convention affirms the rights of consular officers to visit and communicate with detained nationals.
“Consular officers shall be free to communicate with nationals of the sending State and to have access to them… (They)shall have the right to visit a national of the sending State who is in prison, custody or detention,” the statement noted.
In its concluding remarks, the Kenyan ministry urged Tanzania to facilitate access to or the immediate release of Mwangi “expeditiously and without delay,” while reaffirming Kenya’s commitment to regional cooperation and diplomatic dialogue.
The arrest of Mwangi and Atuhaire has sparked widespread condemnation across East Africa, particularly on social media, with many activists and human rights organisations calling for their release.
Agora Discourse, a human rights platform to which Atuhaire is the team lead, confirmed the arrest in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter):
“We can confirm that our Team Leader Agather Atuhaire has been arrested and detained by Tanzania Police Force alongside Kenya’s Activist Boniface Mwangi.”
The two were reportedly part of the East African Community (EAC) observer mission and had travelled to Tanzania to attend a court hearing involving Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who faces treason charges.
Lissu was arrested on April 9 following his call for electoral reforms before the country’s general elections scheduled for October.
“No reforms, no election,” Lissu has declared in rallies, urging supporters not to participate in the upcoming elections without meaningful changes to the electoral system.
On Monday, Lissu made his first court appearance since his arrest, urging supporters to remain courageous.
While Kenya has actively intervened on behalf of Mwangi, there has been no official response yet from the Ugandan government regarding Atuhaire's detention.
The situation continues to unfold, with diplomatic pressure mounting on Tanzanian authorities to comply with international protocols and uphold human rights.