Protests mount as activists seek answers on Mwangi's detention

Activist Njeri Mwangi and members of the Kongamano La Mapinduzi call on the Tanzanian government to release Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan lawyer Agather Atuhaire, in Nairobi, on May 20, 2025. [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard]

The fate of Boniface Mwangi, a human rights activist, remains unknown days after he was arrested in Tanzania, as pressure mounts on Tanzanian authorities to disclose his whereabouts.

Mwangi and Ugandan journalist and activist Agatha Atuhaire were seized from their hotel room at the Serena Hotel in Dar es Salaam on Monday, in what human rights defenders are calling a flagrant violation of regional human rights protocols.

On Wednesday, Mwangi's wife, Njeri Mwangi, broke down as fellow activists marched to the Tanzanian High Commission in Nairobi, demanding answers.

"We don't know where Boniface is. Whatever the issue is between the two governments, my husband has nothing to do with it. If they have any issues, they should sort them out on their own and leave my husband out of it. If my husband has done anything wrong, they need to come out and say clearly what that is," said Njeri.

On Tuesday, there were reports that Mwangi had been deported. However, Amnesty International disputed this, insisting the pair were still being held incommunicado.

Yesterday, on his X account, the President of the Tanganyika Law Society, Boniface Mwabukusi, posted that the two were no longer in police custody but were being held by Tanzania's Immigration Department.

"We respectfully urge the immigration authorities to ensure that all actions taken comply fully with the Constitution. Due process must be strictly observed," Mwabukusi noted.

In a video posted by Mwangi, filmed from inside his hotel room, he said there were officers outside and that he feared for his life.

"I have not done anything wrong. Why do you want me to come out at this hour of the night?" said Mwangi.

Rights organisations are sounding the alarm, describing the detentions as part of a broader crackdown on civic space in the East Africa region.

Acts of repression

"These acts of repression are a direct assault on democratic principles, regional solidarity, and the fundamental rights of African citizens to freedom of movement, expression, and political participation," said Mwanase Ahmed of Kongamano la Mapinduzi.

Mwangi and Atuhaire were in Tanzania to observe the ongoing treason trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu.

In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, human rights defenders demanded the immediate release of the two activists.

"We are deeply concerned for the safety of Boniface and Agatha, whose whereabouts remain unknown since their arrest," the statement read.

The statement was signed by Dr Willy Mutunga, former Chief Justice; Kamau Ngugi, Executive Director of Defenders Coalition; the Jury Panel of the Human Rights Defenders Awards; and Njeri Kabeberi and Rachael Mwikali.among others.