Kenyan reporter abducted by suspected Tanzanian security at Lungalunga border

Tanzanian police officer holding a riffle. [File, Standard]

A Kenyan television reporter has been abducted at the Lungalunga border post in Kwale county by four men believed to be Tanzanian security officers.

Shoka Juma of Kwale-based Nyota TV had yesterday morning accompanied Kenyan human rights activists on a fact-finding mission at the border point.

The human rights crusaders were on a fact-finding mission after several vehicles were stuck  at the border following the presidential election violence in Tanzania.

Muslims for Human Rights rapid response officer Francis Auma, Concerned Citizens’ Bradley Ouna and Vocal Africa’s Walid Sketty escaped from the dragnet.

The human rights activists said although they were safe, they feared for the life of the reporter under the Tanzanian security men.

Auma said four men in plain clothes abducted Mr Juma and later used his phone to asked them to go for him. 

He said they had run away for dear life as the Tanzanian men gave a chase. He explained that they abductors just emerged when they were still on the Kenyan side and arrested the report and pursued them as they viewed the fleet of vehicles, some with cargo, stuck at the border.

“Those men targeted us as human rights activists and not the reporter. They used his phone to ask us to go for him but we declined. As we speak, Juma is in the hands of Tanzanian authorities and we fear for his life following the current security situation there,” Auma said.

He said there was no activity at the border and cargo clearance had been stopped.

Auma also said nobody was allowed to use the Lungalunga border post at Horohoro to enter Tanzania.

Auma said they were driving to Diani police station in Msambweni subcounty to report the incident.

“We were assisted by private security guards to get to our car which were had parked far away from the border,” he explained.

Ouna said the reporter who was carrying a camera, tripod stand and a bag was captured at 10 am when he was abducted at 10 am.

“We were able to escape but unfortunately Juma was captured,” said Ouna.

Tanzanian security officers have also been reported to be guarding border posts to stop Kenyans from entering that country during the controversial presidential election held on October 29, this