Activist Boniface Mwangi deported from Tanzania

By Newsflash Team

Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi has been released by Tanzanian authorities after being held in detention in Dar es Salaam for several days, the Kenyan government has confirmed.

A spokesperson for Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi said Mwangi was freed on Thursday morning.

However, the government did not disclose details about his health condition or the exact location where he was released. Reports indicate that Mwangi was dropped off near the coastal border between Kenya and Tanzania, suggesting an unceremonious handover.

Diplomatic tiff

Mwangi’s detention had triggered a diplomatic standoff between Nairobi and Dodoma. In a formal protest note, known as a note verbale, Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs expressed deep concern over his apprehension and the lack of information about his wellbeing. The ministry said that despite repeated attempts, Tanzanian officials denied Kenyan diplomats access to Mwangi and failed to provide any explanation for his detention.

Kenya emphasized that such actions violated international obligations under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, which both countries have ratified. The treaty requires that consular officers be allowed to communicate with and assist detained nationals of their home countries.

@hakiKNCHR this morning recieved Human Rights Defender @bonifacemwangi in Kwale County following his release from Tanzanian Authorities.

He is in high spirits. The Commission and other partners are making arrangements to transfer him to Nairobi for medical attention.

More… pic.twitter.com/BibNosV9XL
— KNCHR (@HakiKNCHR) May 22, 2025

“The Ministry respectfully urges the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania to expeditiously and without delay facilitate consular access to or release of Mr Mwangi,” read the diplomatic note. The ministry stressed that failure to uphold these obligations undermines bilateral relations and international diplomatic norms.

Mwangi taken to unknown location

Earlier statements from Kenya indicated that a consular official from its High Commission in Dar es Salaam was eventually permitted to see Mwangi at a police station. However, soon after the brief meeting, Mwangi was reportedly moved to an unknown location, raising further alarm in Nairobi.

Despite his release, many questions remain. Authorities have not explained the reasons behind Mwangi’s arrest, what charges—if any—were brought against him, or the conditions of his detention. Concerns also linger about his health and the manner in which he was deported.

The Kenyan government has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding its citizens abroad and called for strengthened diplomatic cooperation to prevent such incidents in the future.

Mwangi is a well-known activist and photojournalist recognized for his outspoken criticism of government excesses and human rights violations across East Africa.