The government has responded to claims that it coordinated with President Samia Suluhu’s administration in the arrest of activist Boniface Mwangi and the deportation of former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, activist Hanifa Adan, and People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua.
In a statement dated Sunday, May 22, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei addressed a news publication and dismissed these claims.
“I reviewed your story and found no causal link between what happened to our compatriots and Kenya’s role in it to justify the headlines. All you will find are attempts to link disparate and unrelated developments in the past to the events of this week,” Korir stated.
Government Denies Aiding Arrest of Boniface Mwangi
The publication highlighted Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi’s actions, including public remarks that implied the regional democracy advocates who travelled to Dar es Salaam were on their own.
“When we tell people that Kenya is a democratic country, they don’t believe it. They thought they could export the absurdity they have been practising here to the neighbouring country. What happened? They didn’t leave the airport, and they were told to go back to their country,” Mudavadi said at a public event.
In a media interview, Mudavadi endorsed what Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu said about Kenyans exporting negative behavior to her country, stating that he would not send a protest note to Tanzania.
“Let’s face a few facts. The level of etiquette and insults that we see in Kenya sometimes goes overboard. What President Suluhu is saying is true. Our approach and utterances sometimes lack serious integrity,” Mudavadi noted.
Also Read: Samia Suluhu Sends Message to Tanzanians After Boniface Mwangi’s Deportation
These statements sparked contest from Kenyans who accused Nairobi of colluding with oppressive regimes in the region to infringe upon the rights of those fighting for democratic freedoms.
Korir’s response came days after activist Boniface Mwangi had been detained by the Tanzanian government for nearly four days and was dropped off at the Horohoro border post near Ukunda in Kwale County, Kenya, on May 22, 2025.
Suluhu Reiterates Her Position
Ugandan activist and journalist Agather Atuhaire, who was detained alongside Boniface Mwangi, was reportedly released at the Mutukula border between Tanzania and Uganda on the night of May 23, 2025. Both Mwangi and Atuhaire claimed to have witnessed torture at the hands of Tanzanian authorities.
On her part, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu reiterated her government’s position that it would not allow external interference in its internal affairs.
Also Read: Mudavadi Blames Kenyans for Being Deported by Suluhu, Reveals Mwangi’s Whereabouts
Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony of newly appointed government officials at the State House in Dar es Salaam, she emphasized the need to shield Tanzania from external individuals attempting to destabilize the nation.
“Let us not allow people from other countries to come and cause chaos among us. Protecting this nation requires both you and me, so I urge you to safeguard our country starting today,” she said.
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