BONIFACE MWANGI RELEASED

BONIFACE MWANGI RELEASED AFTER CONSULAR ACCESS DEMANDS BY KENYAN GOVERNMENT

QUESTIONS SURROUNDING MWANGI’S ARREST REMAIN UNANSWERED

Kenyan activist boniface mwangi has been released from custody in tanzania, just hours after the government of kenya issued a formal diplomatic protest over his detention , expressing deep concern over the denial of diplomatic access and the continued silence from tanzanian authorities regarding his whereabouts and the reasons for his arrest.

Boniface Mwangi, a Kenyan activist who was arrested while in Tanzania attending the court hearing of opposition leader Tundu Lissu has today been released. Mwangi is alleged to have been deported from tanzania by road and abandoned in ukunda, kwale county where he was rushed to hospital for medical review

This comes hours after the ministry of foreign and diaspora affairs through a diplomatic note expressed serious concern over his detention.the note, addressed to tanzanian authorities called for granting of immediate diplomatic access and information on mwangi. Speaking to the media, prime cabinet secretary musalia mudavadi has assured his release, citing diplomatic cooperation.

“The ministry of foreign and diaspora affairs respectfully urges the government of the united republic of Tanzania to expeditiously and without delay facilitate consular access to or release of mr. Mwangi, in accordance with international legal obligations and diplomatic norms,” the note reads.

The detention of boniface mwangi by Tanzanian authorities violated the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which mandates diplomatic access for foreign nationals and prohibits unlawful detentions. This breach has strained kenya-tanzania relations, potentially undermining diplomatic trust and regional cooperation within the east african community.

Mwangi was arrested on monday may 19th under undisclosed circumstances and his exact whereabouts had since remained unknown .his deportation comes days after several other kenyan activists who had also traveled to support tundu lissu’s hearing, were detained and subsequently deported while tundu lissu’s trial on charges of treason and spreading false information remains ongoing.

While Boniface mwangi’s release brings relief to many, questions surrounding his arrest remain unanswered as mudavadi notes details of his arrest will emerge later. His detention has stirred diplomatic tensions between kenya and tanzania, exposing underlying strains in regional relations and raising questions about the treatment of foreign nationals

The letter that dated on 21st may the vienna convention on diplomatic relations was also concerned about his health and overall wellbeing.

“The ministry notes that, despite several requests, officials of the government of kenya have been denied consular access and information to mr. Mwangi. The ministry is also concerned about his health, overall wellbeing and the absence of information regarding his detention,” the letter by the ministry of foreign affairs reads in part.