Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and Kenyan Activists Detained, Deported from Tanzania
Former Chief Justice of Kenya Willy Mutunga and two Kenyan activists, Hanifa Adan and Hussein Khalid, were detained and later deported from Tanzania on Sunday, sparking concerns about regional democratic backsliding and suppression of civil liberties.
The trio was stopped at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam shortly after arrival. According to social media posts from the activists, they had travelled in solidarity with Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who had a court mention scheduled for the day.
“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,” tweeted Hussein Khalid, a human rights activist and lawyer.
Hanifa Adan, a journalist and activist, also took to social media, writing, “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.”
Moments later, both Hanifa and Khalid confirmed their deportation alongside Dr. Mutunga.
The incident comes just hours after Martha Karua, leader of Kenya’s People’s Liberation Party (PLP), revealed she too had been denied entry and deported by Tanzanian authorities. She was accompanied by Law Society of Kenya Council member Gloria Kimani and Pan-African Progressive Leaders Solidarity Network member Lynn Ngugi.
On the same day, renowned activist Boniface Mwangi reported being visited by police officers in the middle of the night at his Dar es Salaam residence. He refused to open the door, telling them to break in if they wanted to arrest him.
The wave of detentions and deportations has drawn condemnation from regional leaders. Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka accused Tanzanian authorities of democratic regression, saying, “We cannot sit by as fellow East Africans are denied their rights in broad daylight.”
The developments raise fresh questions about the freedom of movement, civil society engagement, and judicial transparency within the East African Community (EAC). No official explanation has been issued by Tanzanian immigration or security officials at the time of reporting.
In other news: Babu Owino Demands Govt Bar Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu From Entering Kenya
Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and Kenyan Activists Detained, Deported from Tanzania