Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has strongly condemned the arrest and deportation of activists Boniface Mwangi and Agather Atuhaire from Tanzania, calling the incident a blatant violation of human rights.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Passaris decried the activists’ treatment, which allegedly included torture, sexual abuse, and humiliation. She described the ordeal as not only unlawful but also inhumane and deeply disturbing.
“Their unlawful arrest, inhumane treatment, and violent deportation from Tanzania are not just a violation of their rights,” Passaris stated. “They are a stain on our region’s collective conscience.”
She further called on Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan to act decisively, urging her to align her leadership with the values of justice and accountability. “No vision for progress can coexist with the abuse of power and the silencing of activists,” said Passaris. “I call on her, not just as a Head of State, but as a mother and a champion for change, to ensure that such atrocities are never repeated and that justice is served.”
Passaris also expressed solidarity with the victims, noting, “We pray for healing, strength, and justice for Boniface and Agather. May their courage continue to light the way toward a freer, fairer, and more humane Africa.”
Mwangi, speaking publicly for the first time since his release, described his ordeal in detention as harrowing. He criticized the Kenyan government for failing to support him, claiming it aligned with Tanzanian authorities and accused the activists of interfering in local politics.
“My government let me down,” he said. “We were not interfering; we were showing solidarity with fellow human rights defenders.”
Mwangi, who has a long history of activism across Africa, reiterated his commitment to defending freedoms on the continent. “Africa is home,” he affirmed, standing alongside Atuhaire in Nairobi.
The incident has sparked regional concern, with growing calls for transparency, accountability, and cross-border respect for human rights. Activists and political leaders alike are demanding justice and urging African governments to protect rather than persecute those who champion democracy and freedom.
