The Kenyan government has written to Tanzania demanding the release of activist Boniface Mwangi, who is being held incommunicado following his arrest on Monday, May 19.
Through the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Kenya has protested the detention of Mwangi, calling out Tanzania over its silence in the matter, despite multiple requests. According to the ministry, in the event that Tanzania fails to release the vocal human rights defender, it should at least grant the Kenyan consulate in Dar es Salaam access and information about Mwangi as stipulated in the Vienna Convention to which both countries are signatories. "The ministry notes that despite several requests, officials of the Government of Kenya have been denied consular access and information to Mr Mwangi.
The ministry is also concerned about his health and overall well-being, and absence of information regarding his detention," said the Ministry. "The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs respectfully urges the government of the United Republic of Tanzania to expeditiously and without delay facilitate consular access to or release of Mr.
Mwangi, in accordance with international legal obligation and diplomatic norms," it said.
