The government has raised serious concerns over the detention of a Kenyan activist, Boniface Mwangi, by authorities in Tanzania. In an official diplomatic communication addressed to Tanzania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs expressed deep concern over the lack of information and consular access to Mwangi.
According to the Kenyan ministry, multiple requests for consular access and information regarding Mwangi’s status have been ignored, raising fears about his health,well-beingg, and legal rights.
Citing the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (1963), to which Kenya and Tanzania are signatories, Kenya’s ministry reminded Tanzanian authorities that consular officers are entitled to communicate with and visit detained nationals. The ministry emphasized that denying such access is a violation of Article 36 of the Convention, which mandates the rights of consular officers to assist nationals in custody.
“In light of the above,” the statement reads, “the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs 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 part of the statement.
Kenya further reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining cordial bilateral relations with Tanzania and expressed optimism that the issue would be resolved swiftly and amicably, in the spirit of regional cooperation.
Through his official X account, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei said the ministry’s obligation to a national who has been apprehended by a foreign country is limited and focused in the first instance on the provision of consular assistance.
Sing’oei said ”Beyond that, we are engaging diplomatically to secure Mwangi’s release unless Tanzania has reason for holding him longer in custody. He continued, ”We are confident our efforts will prevail.”
Mwangi was arrested at a hotel in Tanzania alongside Ugandan journalist Agatha Atuhaire, and their whereabouts remain unknown.
They had flown to Tanzania to attend a court session for the main opposition leader, Tundu Lissu.
