by Bukeni Abdullatif
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has called for the immediate prohibition of Tanzania’s ruling party leadership, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), from entering Kenya, citing the recent alleged abuse of regional activists in Dar es Salaam.
Speaking during a press briefing at Parliament Buildings on Tuesday, Sifuna condemned the Tanzanian government over the detention and alleged sexual assault of Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan journalist Agather Atuhaire. The two were reportedly targeted by Tanzanian authorities while attending a court hearing for opposition figure Tundu Lissu.
“This is an attack on the entire East African community’s commitment to human rights and democratic values,” Sifuna said. “Kenya cannot remain silent while our citizens and our neighbors are subjected to such degrading treatment simply for standing up for justice.”
Sifuna demanded that Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs formally protest the incident and restrict entry for CCM officials until Tanzanian authorities launch a credible, independent investigation into the matter and hold the perpetrators accountable.
“The continued silence and inaction from Tanzanian authorities is not only shameful but dangerous. We cannot normalize cross-border repression,” he added.
His remarks have sparked a fresh diplomatic storm in the region, as activists, civil society organizations, and political leaders echo calls for justice and accountability. The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and Uganda Law Society have both demanded full investigations into the alleged abuse.
The Tanzanian government has yet to issue an official response to the claims, though security officials in Dar es Salaam have downplayed the incident, calling it a “routine security procedure.”
Boniface Mwangi and Agather Atuhaire have publicly shared harrowing details of their detention, alleging sexual violence, physical intimidation, and humiliation by Tanzanian security forces. Their testimonies have drawn widespread outrage, with international human rights watchdogs calling for sanctions and independent scrutiny.
Sifuna, who also serves as Secretary-General of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), warned that Kenya’s credibility on human rights was on the line.
“If we fail to act now, we set a dangerous precedent—that state-sponsored abuse can happen without consequence in East Africa,” he said.
As pressure mounts, Kenya’s foreign policy toward its southern neighbor may face heightened scrutiny in the coming days.
