The President of the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS), Boniface Mwabukusi, has confirmed that the Tanzanian Government has released and deported activist Boniface Mwangi back to Kenya.
In a statement on Tuesday, May 20, Mwabukusi claimed that Mwangi was deported alongside Agatha Atuhaire, a journalist and lawyer from Uganda, under the supervision of officers from the Tanzania Immigration Services Department.
"Boniface Mwangi, a Kenyan journalist and human rights activist, and Ms Agatha Atuhaire, a Ugandan journalist and advocate, who were detained at the Central Police Station in Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania, since 19th May 2025, have been deported to their respective countries," Mwabukusi said.
Mwangi, who arrived in Tanzania on Sunday to attend the opposition leader Tundu Lissu's trial the following day, was arrested on Monday, May 19, in his hotel after Tanzanian authorities claimed that he had obtained entry into the country irregularly.
Mwabukusi stressed the need for East African countries to adhere to the East African Community Treaty and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.
"It is alleged that Mr Mwangi was arrested on the grounds of providing false information for purposes of entry into the territory, having arrived in Tanzania on 18th May 2025," the TLS head said.
His deportation comes hours after a section of activists, including his wife, Njeri Mwangi, issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the Tanzanian government for his release and that of his Ugandan counterpart.
The activists claimed that the detention of the two contravened East African Community laws, which allow citizens from the region to observe and engage in legal activities freely.
"They were not there illegally because they had declared what they had gone to observe there. I wonder why Boniface was the only one prevented from attending, yet there were many activists there," Mwangi’s wife said.
"We have the right to visit Tanzania anytime, and people from Tanzania are also allowed to come anytime. As the citizens of East Africa, we have no problem with each other. It is the leadership of these countries who have a problem with the citizens," activist Ndungi Githuku said.
Mwangi was among several activists and high-profile individuals, including People's Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua, Journalist Hanifa Adan, and former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, who were barred from attending Lissu's trial.
Speaking on Monday, May 19, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu faulted Kenyan activists for what she termed as attempts to disrupt the peace in Tanzania.
"We've started seeing a trend where some activists from our neighbouring countries are trying to meddle in our business," she stated.
"If they have been contained in their own country, let them not try to come to ruin our peace," she said.
