Boniface Mwangi free after arrest in Tanzania

Vocal Africa CEO Hussein Khalid told Citizen Digital that Mwangi is currently in Mombasa and is set to board a plane to Nairobi.

Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi also confirmed the release, saying Kenya has been engaging with Tanzania through diplomatic channels.

Mwangi was arrested by suspected military officers after travelling to observe Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu’s treason trial on Monday. 

Mwangi was among several East African activists and lawyers who travelled to Tanzania to stand in solidarity with Lissu.

Most were, however, denied entry upon landing at the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam on Sunday and Monday, detained then later deported to Nairobi.

Later on Monday, President Samia Suluhu told a televised address that foreign activists would not be allowed to “interfere” in Tanzania's affairs.

His arrest sparked uproar from the government as Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Tanzanian authorities have denied it access to Mwangi.

In a statement, the ministry said “despite several requests, officials of the Government of Kenya have been denied consular access and information to Mr. Mwangi.

It further urged Tanzania to “expeditiously and without delay” facilitate consular access to or release of Mwangi as per international legal obligations and diplomatic norms.