Tortured activist Boniface Mwangi flown to Nairobi for treatment after release from Tanzania

Activist Boniface Mwangi on Thursday departed from Moi International Airport in Mombasa for Nairobi to seek immediate medical attention, following his release from Tanzanian custody.

Mwangi had been held by authorities in Tanzania under unclear circumstances, prompting concern among human rights defenders and the public.

In a brief interview with the media at the airport, Mwangi, who alleges he was tortured while in detention by President Samia Suluhu’s government, appeared visibly weak as he was wheeled into the terminal.

A short video captured the moment, showing him being assisted by close allies as he prepared to board a flight to Nairobi for further treatment.

According to human rights activist Khelef Khalifa, Mwangi was abandoned at the Horohoro border post, forcing him to secure transport to Lungalunga on the Kenyan side.

It was from there that Khelef picked him up and facilitated his transfer to Mombasa, where arrangements were made for his onward journey to Nairobi.

Speaking in Mombasa, Mwangi expressed his relief at being released from custody by his captors in Tanzania,

“I am just happy to be back home; I have gone through four very dark days. I have been tortured very badly. I can barely walk, but I am concerned about Agarther. We were taken together and they did very horrible things to us,” he said.

“I hope Agarther is safe, so wherever she is, she should know we are praying for her safety. Thanks to everyone who spoke and stood with us. The solidarity wasn’t in vain; it was bad.”

Mwangi’s wife, Hellen Njeri Mwangi, pleaded with concerned Kenyans at the airport to allow the activist to first seek treatment before giving more information on his ordeal in Tanzania.

"Guys, he has already said that he was tortured. I know that this is important, and you want a lot of information, and we understand. I beg you, please let him go home, he needs medical attention, he has told you himself he was wounded, they tortured him, so allow him to travel. he will answer any questions later, right now he needs to go to the hospital,” Njeri pleaded.

She also thanked the public for the unwavering support.

“We appreciate the support and concern. I know this will be heard by so many people. Bonny was dumped alone; they were separated, and we still don’t know where Agather is or where she was taken. Until we hear from her family or the media, we are in the dark,” Njeri said.

Vocal Africa CEO Hussein Khalid condemned the incident, warning of increasing authoritarianism in East Africa.

“It is very clear that we are seeing the rise of authoritarianism in East Africa. Boniface was severely tortured, and we don’t even know where Agather is. He can barely walk, and it is clear he was brutalised under President Samia Suluhu’s government. They even forced him to say ‘Thank you, Mama Samia’ while torturing him. We will not let this go unchallenged,” Hussein said.

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Hussein said his organisation had already engaged with Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and expected criminal charges to be filed against those responsible.

“We were at the ministry yesterday and informed them again today that we expect stern action. These officers must be identified, charged, and prosecuted. If Mudavadi and the government do not act, we shall appeal to the international community.”

Activist Salma Mohamed echoed those sentiments, saying, “As human rights defenders, we are outraged. What happened to our colleague in the hands of President Samia Suluhu’s administration is unacceptable. They did this with impunity, thinking nothing would happen to them. But we have joined hands with KNCHR and legal experts to ensure this matter is pursued legally and justice is served.”

The Executive Director of Haki Africa, Yusuf Abubakar, confirmed that legal steps were being taken.

“We have advised Boniface Mwangi to file a formal report with the Kenyan government, so that they can act,” he said.

“We shall also escalate this to the East African Community, the African Union, and the United Nations. This case has violated several international laws,” Yusuf said.

A commissioner from the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) also weighed in, revealing that Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had issued a diplomatic letter outlining Tanzania’s violations.

“Tanzania breached international law and the East African Community Treaty, which protects the rights of all East African citizens. Even if Mwangi had been the worst kind of terrorist, torture is prohibited and can never be justified,” said the commissioner.

The commissioner further noted that Mwangi was a victim of enforced disappearance.

“The moment he was taken without access to lawyers or the Kenyan delegation observing the trial of Tundu Lissu, he was removed from legal protection. That alone is a gross violation.”