•Kenyan Activist Alleges Torture, Demands Justice for Fellow Detainee Agather Atuhaire
Nairobi, Kenya| Prominent Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi has been released from Tanzanian custody following what he described as four days of “brutal torture and inhumane treatment.”
His release on Thursday, May 22, 2025, comes after intense diplomatic intervention by the Kenyan government, which had urged Tanzania to act “promptly and without delay” in facilitating consular access or securing his freedom.
Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, confirmed Mwangi’s release, expressing relief while underscoring Kenya’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad.
“We welcome the release of Boniface Mwangi and remain deeply concerned about the allegations surrounding his detention,” Mudavadi stated.
Silent Ordeal Ends in Public Outcry
Mwangi, who was reportedly deported by road and abandoned in Ukunda, Kwale County, was later taken to a hospital for medical assessment. His family confirmed the shocking turn of events, revealing that he was in a fragile condition and struggling to walk.
In a harrowing public statement, Mwangi recounted his ordeal, stating:
“I’ve gone through four dark days. I have been tortured very badly. I can barely walk. But I am very concerned about Agather because we were tortured together, and they did very horrible things to us. So I hope Agather is safe.”
Agather Atuhaire, a Ugandan journalist and activist, was detained alongside Mwangi. Her current whereabouts remain unknown, sparking regional concern and calls for urgent action.
Karua, Human Rights Groups Demand Accountability
Veteran politician and human rights advocate Martha Karua has publicly demanded answers from Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, questioning the legality and morality of detaining and allegedly torturing Mwangi and Atuhaire.
Karua stated, “The Tanzanian government must explain why these two peaceful East African citizens were detained and subjected to such cruelty. Silence is not an option when activists are being targeted simply for expressing solidarity.”
A Pan-Africanist’s Mission Interrupted
Mwangi, known for his unwavering commitment to Pan-African activism, explained that he and Atuhaire had traveled to Dar es Salaam to attend a court hearing in solidarity with Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu on May 19, 2025.
The plan, he said, was to spend just one day in Tanzania before proceeding to Uganda for another court solidarity visit concerning opposition figure Kizza Besigye.
This is not the first time Mwangi has undertaken such visits. In his statement, he detailed his past travels across Africa in support of jailed or persecuted activists—including to Uganda, Ethiopia, Senegal, Nigeria, South Sudan, and Zimbabwe.
“I’m not African because I was born in Africa, but because Africa was born in me,” Mwangi quoted Kwame Nkrumah, affirming his deep-rooted commitment to pan-African unity.
He added,
“Dictators are united, and only our own unity can help democratize our respective countries. Everything that happened to us in Tanzania was done in Samia Suluhu’s name, and we will ensure the world gets to know.”
Unanswered Questions and Regional Implications
Despite his release, no official communication has been provided by Tanzanian authorities regarding Mwangi’s arrest, the grounds for his detention, or his current medical condition. There has also been no update on Agather Atuhaire’s fate, fueling regional and international anxiety.
Human rights organizations across East Africa have started mobilizing support for Atuhaire’s release, while calls for independent investigations into the conduct of Tanzanian security services are growing louder.
The Kenyan government, meanwhile, is under increasing pressure to escalate diplomatic efforts to secure full accountability and ensure the safety of East African citizens within the region.
Hashtag Diplomacy and Solidarity Movements Rise
Social media has become a rallying point for calls demanding Agather Atuhaire’s release, with hashtags like #FreeAgatherAtuhaire, #FreeAgather, and #FreeBonifaceMwangi trending across East African platforms.
Mwangi ended his statement with a powerful vow:
“We shall speak for the Tanzanian victims who are too afraid to speak. What Suluhu did to us will be revealed to the world. We shall not be silenced by a torturous dictator who has her foot on the necks of the Tanzanian people.”
As regional pressure mounts and global human rights bodies begin to weigh in, the spotlight now turns to President Samia Suluhu and her government’s response to the unfolding scandal—one that could have serious implications for Tanzania’s regional reputation and commitment to democratic principles.
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