NAIROBI, Kenya – The Kenyan government has broken its silence on the detention of activist Boniface Mwangi in Tanzania, issuing a formal diplomatic protest and calling for his immediate release or, at the very least, urgent consular access.
In a diplomatic note dated May 21, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs expressed “deep concern” over the continued detention of Mwangi, a prominent photojournalist and human rights campaigner, by Tanzanian authorities.
The ministry accused the Tanzanian government of denying Kenyan officials access to Mwangi, who was reportedly arrested under unclear circumstances earlier this week.
It further raised alarm over his health, safety, and lack of legal representation, warning that such treatment contravenes international legal norms.
“Despite several requests, officials of the Government of Kenya have been denied consular access and information to Mr. Mwangi,” the statement reads. “The Ministry is also concerned about his health, overall wellbeing and the absence of information regarding his detention.”
Kenya ups efforts to secure Boniface Mwangi
The diplomatic note, addressed to Tanzania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, cites the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, which both nations are party to.
Article 36 of the treaty guarantees consular officers the right to communicate with and assist detained nationals abroad.
Kenya is now demanding that Tanzania “expeditiously and without delay” allow consular access to Mwangi or release him outright.
The move marks a significant shift in tone from the Kenyan government, which had until now been criticized for its apparent silence.
Pressure mounted from the public and civil society groups following reports of Mwangi’s detention—sparked by his social media absence and later confirmed by family sources.
Among those raising alarm was former Chief Justice David Maraga, who questioned why the state was quiet on the matter.
In response, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Korir Sing’Oei, posted on X:
“The Ministry’s obligation to a national who has been apprehended by a foreign country is limited and focused in the first instance on provision of consular assistance. Beyond that, we are engaging diplomatically to secure Mwangi’s release unless Tanzania has reason for holding him longer in custody. We are confident our efforts will prevail.”
The Ministry’s obligation to a national who has been apprehended by a foreign country is limited and focused in the first instance on provision of consular assistance. Beyond that, we are engaging diplomatically to secure Mwangi’s release unless Tanzania has reason for holding
Mwangi’s detention has sparked fierce debate across East Africa, especially given his history of provocative activism and outspoken criticism of authoritarianism.
Legal experts say Tanzania is obligated under international law to grant consular access promptly.
The standoff could strain Kenya-Tanzania relations, which have in recent years oscillated between economic cooperation and diplomatic spats over trade, border protocols, and regional influence.
The Kenyan ministry also struck a conciliatory tone, reaffirming Nairobi’s commitment to bilateral relations and expressing hope for an “amicable resolution in the spirit of regional cooperation.”
