Kenya has asked Tanzania to release detained former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and two other activists.
The three were detained at the Julius Nyerere International Airport, Dar es Salaam after they landed there on Monday morning.
There were plans to send them back to Kenya after being denied entry.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Singóei broke the silence over the issue and urged their release.
“We strongly urge the authorities in Tanzania to release the former Chief Justice of Kenya and his delegation consistent with the norms of the East African Community,” he said.
Mutunga, together with two Kenyan activists, Hanifa Adan and Hussein Khalid, were detained at the Julius Nyerere Airport, Dar es Salaam pending what officials said was deportation.
Almost a dozen activists had apparently flown to Tanzania which prompted action by local authorities.
The move to detain Dr Mutunga and his group came hours after People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua on Sunday said she was denied entry to Tanzania and deported to Kenya.
Khalid, a human rights activist and lawyer tweeted that the trip was “in solidarity with Tanzania lawyers and human rights defenders.”
“We, @WMutunga, @Honeyfarsafi and I, have been detained at Julius Nyerere Airport, Dar es Salaam as we came in for the observance of @TunduALissu’s case. The trip was in solidarity with Tanzania lawyers and human rights defenders. They have not given reasons for the detention,” he posted on X.
Hanifa, a journalist and activist, also tweeted, “Hello guys. We’ve been detained at Julius Nyerere international airport and we’re not being told why. This is utterly ridiculous and petty. It’s 3am and it’s cold here damn. I’m here with Willy Mutunga and Hussein Khalid. We all travelled in solidarity with Tundu lissu who has a mention in court today.”
Moments later, Hanifa posted that the trio was being deported.
They were being held at the local airport by Monday morning amid plans to send them back to Kenya.
“We’ve been held at Julius Nyerere International Airport since 2 a.m. The terminals are deserted, the floors are cold, and we’re hungry. Everyone seems to have gone to sleep, leaving us stranded. I’m genuinely asking, what is President Samia so afraid of? This situation is utterly absurd,” Hanifa posted a message at about 6 am.
As the three were being detained, another activist, Boniface Mwangi was dealing with police officers at his door, but he refused to open, asking them to break in if they wanted to arrest him.
“My life is in danger. I’m at Serena Hotel, Dar es Salaam and they’re armed men in civilian clothes outside my room. They claim they are police officers, but they have refused to identify themselves. They will have to break the door to remove me here. I’m not going to open it.”
“The unidentified armed men have left my door. I’m informed they have moved to the hotel lobby. My bags are packed, and I’m ready to go with those people when the Tanzanian lawyers who are following up on this matter arrive. For now, l will stay put. Thank you for the solidarity,” he posted on his social media accounts.
On Sunday, Karua, alongside Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Council member Gloria Kimani and member of the Pan-African Progressive Leaders Solidarity Network Lynn Ngugi, were detained at the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam.
They were later deported to Kenya amid protests.
Lissu, a former presidential candidate, was charged with treason in April 2025.
Rights campaigners and opposition parties have accused Hassan’s government of a growing crackdown on political opponents, citing a string of unexplained abductions and killings.
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