Hours after his release from detention in Tanzania, Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi has issued a fiery statement vowing to expose President Samia Suluhu for alleged torture and repression.
Mwangi, who was detained alongside his fellow activist from Uganda, Agather Atuhaire, described the ordeal as the worst form of torture, alleging that they were threatened with public humiliation if they revealed details of their treatment.
However, despite the torture, detention, and suffering, Mwangi vowed that they would not relent in voicing the issues of the timid Tanzanians in the spirit of East African Unity.
"Everything that happened to us in Tanzania was done in Samia Suluhu’s name, and we will ensure the world gets to know. We shall speak for the Tanzanian victims who are too afraid to speak," Mwangi wrote in the statement.
"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," the activist boldly continued.
In the lengthy statement released on Thursday after his release, Mwangi detailed the grim conditions of their detention. He accused Tanzanian authorities of treating them worse than rabid dogs in the name of President Suluhu.
Mwangi was apprehended on May 19 while in Dar es Salaam attending a court hearing in solidarity with Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
However, they were unable to fulfil their agenda after being apprehended and detained in the neighbouring country for four days, before their release following numerous calls by Kenyans and fellow activists.
Mwangi has advised fellow activists not to be discouraged by what happened to them, adding that it should not hinder their activism.
"Our apprehension and detention should not stop the solidarity among African activists or deter us from showing up for each other. Dictators are united, and only our own unity can help democratise our respective countries," Mwangi wrote.
Boniface Mwangi’s detention sparked tension and divided opinions among Kenyans. While many condemned the move, some leaders, including Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, defended President Suluhu's decision, arguing that the activists had acted in a disorderly manner.
Following the unfortunate ordeal, Suluhu’s government now faces mounting pressure to clarify the circumstances surrounding Mwangi’s apprehension. Activist Okiya Omtatah has condemned the events, terming them as ''a direct assault on our shared East African values''.
