Activist Boniface Mwangi Claims His Life Is in Danger After Confrontation in Tanzania

Boniface Mwangi fears for his safety after an encounter with armed men at his hotel in Tanzania. The incident followed the deportation of other Kenyan political figures, raising alarms about a crackdown on activists. Mwangi remains defiant, posting updates on his social media while refusing to comply with the armed men outside his door.

Boniface Mwangi, a prominent activist, raised urgent concerns for his safety after an alarming encounter with armed men at a Dar es Salaam hotel, where he is currently staying. The confrontation occurred just hours after Martha Karua, a leader from the People’s Liberation Party, was detained and deported back to Kenya. Mwangi claims that men, allegedly police officers in civilian clothing, demanded he come out of his hotel room without any identification.

In a social media post late Monday night, Mwangi expressed his fears, noting that these unidentified armed individuals insisted on accessing his room at Serena Hotel. “My life is in danger. I’m at Serena Hotel, Dar es Salaam, and there are armed men in civilian clothes outside my room,” he stated. He firmly refused to open the door, fearing he could be abducted by the men who had not provided proper identification.

During the tense standoff, a video shared by Mwangi depicted his refusal to comply with the armed men outside, who desperately tried to coax him into leaving. One of the men suggested that the lobby was a safe option, saying, “Shuka hapa uone tunakuita reception, kila mtu anaona, camera zinaona.” To which Mwangi questioned, “So nitakuwa safe?” indicating his apprehension over his trust in the situation.

Additionally, another individual claiming to be Mr. Robinson and working for the hotel attempted to alleviate Mwangi’s distress but did not produce identification as requested. The tension escalated further when the armed men began asserting that Mwangi was complicating matters. Despite their pressure, Mwangi stood firm, challenging them to force his door open if they wished to arrest him.

Mwangi later explained his rationale, citing the dangers posed by rampant abductions and killings in Tanzania, particularly targeting those who challenge President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s government. Hours later, he updated his followers that the armed men had retreated to the hotel lobby, assuring them he was prepared to leave once legal counsel arrived.

In light of this troubling incident, there is growing alarm regarding the treatment of activists in Tanzania. The context of this event ties back to the earlier deportation of several Kenyan political figures, including Martha Karua, who had been detained upon her arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport. Karua’s group included Law Society of Kenya member Gloria Kimani and other activists, intensifying speculation regarding a crackdown on dissenting voices in the region.

Political leaders in Kenya have since voiced concerns, with figures such as Kalonzo Musyoka warning that Tanzania’s actions signal a concerning trend for democracy in the East African Community. At this point, Tanzanian authorities have not released any statements regarding the events involving Mwangi, leaving many to question the broader implications for political activists in the region.

In summary, Boniface Mwangi’s alarming experience at a Dar es Salaam hotel raises serious concerns about the safety of political activists in Tanzania. Following the deportation of Martha Karua and other leaders, the incident underscores fears of a crackdown on dissent. With increasing tensions surrounding political freedoms in the region, time will tell how this situation evolves and what it may mean for civil rights in Tanzania and beyond.

Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke