Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna is calling for bold retaliation against Tanzania, demanding a ban on its ruling party leaders, a withdrawal from CAF 2027 joint hosting plans, and the relocation of regional events — all in response to the alleged abduction and torture of Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan lawyer Agather Atuhaire by Tanzanian authorities.
Highlights:
- Sifuna calls for sanctions on Tanzania and withdrawal from CAF 2027 co-hosting.
- Mwangi and Atuhaire allege abduction and torture during visit to Tanzania.
- Kenyan government accused of failing to protect its citizens abroad.
- Ruto’s regional apology labeled “fake” by Sifuna, who demands a retraction.
- Amnesty International joins call for accountability and action.
Main Story:
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has sharply criticized Tanzania and the Kenyan government following reports of activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan human rights lawyer Agather Atuhaire being abducted and tortured during a trip to Tanzania. He is now urging President William Ruto to take immediate diplomatic action — including banning leaders from Tanzania’s ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party and cancelling Kenya’s co-hosting role in the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Mwangi and Atuhaire shared chilling accounts of being abducted while attending a court session for Tanzanian opposition figure Tundu Lissu. Mwangi said they were detained, tortured, and recorded by their captors before being deported under alarming conditions. He was later dumped at the Horohoro border with a small amount of cash and no explanation. Atuhaire described being blindfolded, driven in a tinted vehicle, and dropped in the middle of the night near the Uganda border.
“I knew they would come for me eventually, but I didn’t think it would be in Tanzania,” said Atuhaire, visibly shaken as she recounted the experience.
Mwangi accused the Kenyan government of failing to intervene or offer protection, stating that their mission to support a fellow activist was met with hostility. He said the authorities back home were quick to side with Tanzania, adding that their ordeal was filmed with threats to release the footage publicly.
In response, Sifuna condemned President Ruto’s recent apology to neighboring countries during the National Prayer Breakfast, calling it “fake” and misplaced. “We should be demanding an apology, not issuing one,” he said in a fiery X post.
He also called for the East Africa Law Society (EALS) conference, set for Zanzibar later this year, to be relocated, citing human rights violations. His statement further referred to Tanzania and Uganda as “dictatorships” unworthy of partnership in regional events.
Human rights organizations have added their voice to the growing uproar. Amnesty International Kenya Director Houghton Irungu urged parliaments in both Kenya and Uganda to hold their foreign ministries accountable and demand transparency regarding the protection of their nationals abroad.
“We’re not presuming guilt, but we need answers. What measures were in place, and what comes next?” asked Irungu.
As borders blur in the age of activism, the question lingers — will solidarity across nations stand stronger than political power plays?
