Emotional Reunion as Boniface Mwangi's Kids Welcome Him at Airport after Detention in Tanzania
- Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi reunited with his family after being detained in Tanzania for more than three days
- He received an emotional welcome at Wilson Airport, with his children embracing him in a heartfelt hug as fellow activists sang songs of victory
- Mwangi was detained by Tanzanian authorities when he travelled to attend opposition leader Tundu Lissu’s court hearing
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Activist Boniface Mwangi has reunited with his family after more than three agonising days of detention by Tanzanian authorities.
Source: Facebook
The activist was deported by road for Tanzania and was found in Ukunda, Kwale county, looking frail and weak.
He was taken to a hospital in Mombasa for a medical check-up and was airlifted to Nairobi hours later.
Who received Boniface Mwangi at Wilson Airport?
Upon touchdown, he was received by a host of fellow activists and his family, including his children, who celebrated his return.
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In videos shared online, Mwangi warmly embraced his children, starting with his daughter Naila Sifa, then his youngest, Jabali Mboya, after which Nate Simphiwe, wearing a white hoodie, joined in, making it a beautiful family group hug.
The welcome party broke into songs of victory, hailing Mwangi as a hero.
He greeted many of those who came for him at Wilson Airport, still struggling to walk properly, supported by his son and daughter.
He was seen engaging in a short conversation with them, looking emotional and seemingly just happy to be in the warm embrace of his children.
All the while, his wife Njeri, who had picked him up from Mombasa, was all smiles as she joined the crowd in singing.
Source: Facebook
Why was Boniface Mwangi detained in Tanzania?
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi, on May 20, confirmed that the activist had been held in custody by Tanzanian authorities.
He stated that the Tanzanian government had not provided his ministry with clear details on why Mwangi and his Ugandan counterpart Agather Atuhaire were arrested.
What was Mwangi doing in Tanzania?
The two activists travelled to the East African country on May 19 to attend a court hearing in solidarity with CHADEMA’s party leader and opposition figure, Tundu Lissu.
Upon their arrival, they were taken into custody and held incommunicado, without access to legal counsel, court proceedings, or consular assistance, despite Mwangi's earlier expressed fears for his safety.
Speaking after his return, he reiterated that he had visited many African countries before to support comrades in jail and wondered why this particular trip ended as it did.
“We were supposed to be in Dar es Salaam for one day, May 19, then travel to Uganda that same night to attend Kizza Besigye’s case on Tuesday, May 20. Our arrest and detention should not stop the solidarity among African activists or deter us from showing up for each other,” he wrote on his Facebook page.
He also claimed they were tortured, alleging that all of it was done in President Samia Suluhu’s name.
Mwangi’s release followed mounting pressure from civil society and support from local activists, who had begun mobilising protests outside the Tanzanian High Commission to demand his unconditional release.
Martha Karua demands action against Suluhu
TUKO.co.ke reported that the People’s Liberation Party leader, Martha Karua, penned a letter to the African Union demanding action over the detention of Mwangi and Atuhaire.
She listed ten demands and requested a response within 72 hours, citing that the detention of the two activists was a violation of both national and international human rights standards.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
