Family says Boniface Mwangi has not returned to Kenya despite deportation claims
A close relative told the Eastleigh Voice that the family has not had any contact from Mwangi, who was arrested on Monday at the Serena Hotel in the Tanzanian capital, where he had travelled to attend the treason trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
The family of Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi has said it has not received any communication about his alleged deportation from Tanzania, despite the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) claiming he was returned to Kenya.
A close relative told the Eastleigh Voice that the family has not had any contact from Mwangi, who was arrested on Monday at the Serena Hotel in the Tanzanian capital, where he had travelled to attend the treason trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
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He was detained alongside Ugandan journalist and activist Agather Atuhaire.
Taking to his X account on Tuesday at 1:15 pm, TLS President Boniface Mwabukusi stated that he had received reports from Advocate Emmanuel Ukashu, who had been assigned to the case, that Mwangi and Ugandan journalist Agatha Atuhaire had been deported to their respective countries.
“It is alleged that Mwangi was arrested on the grounds of providing false information for purposes of entry into the territory,” Mwabukusi said, adding that the two were repatriated under the escort of Tanzanian immigration officials.
However, the family has raised concerns over Mwangi’s whereabouts, noting that more than two hours after the deportation announcement, he had neither arrived in Kenya nor made contact.
“We expected that if he had truly been deported, he would have arrived or at least communicated by now,” the relative said.
Mwangi and Atuhaire were detained at the Central Police Station in Dar es Salaam on May 19, 2025.
Mwabukusi, in his statement, called for continued advocacy for freedom of movement and protection of human rights defenders across East Africa, urging adherence to regional and international legal frameworks.
“As advocates for human rights, constitutionalism, and the rule of law in the East African region, we are duty-bound to continue engaging our respective national and regional authorities to ensure adherence to the Constitutions, municipal laws, and binding regional and international legal instruments governing freedom of movement, expression, and protection of journalists and human rights defenders,” Mwabukusi.
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