Activist Boniface Mwangi Claims Threat to Life After Hotel Confrontation in Tanzania

Activist Boniface Mwangi claims his life is in danger after armed men, allegedly police, confronted him at the Serena Hotel in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This incident occurred shortly after the arrest and deportation of People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua and others. Mwangi refused to exit his room, fearing abduction, and remained guarded despite the armed men trying to reassure him. Kenyan political leaders have raised concerns over this incident and its implications for democracy in the region.

Activist Boniface Mwangi has raised serious concerns about his safety after a terrifying encounter with armed men believed to be police officers at a hotel in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This alarming incident unfolded just hours after the arrest and subsequent deportation of Martha Karua, a prominent leader of the People’s Liberation Party, along with two other Kenyan activists who had arrived in Tanzania for a conference.

Mwangi took to social media in the early hours of May 19 to report that unidentified armed individuals in civilian clothing confronted him outside his hotel room at the Serena Hotel. The men claimed to be law enforcement, yet they failed to provide any identification when asked. In his post, he stated unequivocally, “My life is in danger… They will have to break the door to remove me here. I’m not going to open it.”

In a dramatic moment captured on video, Mwangi refused to comply with their demands, citing fears of abduction. As he filmed, one of the men attempted to persuade him by saying, “Shuka hapa uone tunakuita reception, kila mtu anaona, camera zinaona,” suggesting he would be safe if he went to the reception area. To which Mwangi skeptically replied, “So nitakuwa safe?”

Another individual, Mr. Robinson, claimed to work for the hotel and sought to reassure the activist. However, Mwangi stood firm, insisting that Robinson slide identification under the door, which he did not. Tensions escalated, leading Mwangi to challenge the armed men, demanding that they break down the door if they intended to arrest him. Eventually, the men retreated.

Mwangi expressed his fears following the confrontation, highlighting issues of abductions and executions occurring in Tanzania, particularly aimed at dissenters against President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration. He stated, “I’m scared of my life because there are a lot of abductions in this country, a lot of executions in this country…” His resolve not to open the door stemmed from a deep concern about the current political climate.

By around 2 a.m., Mwangi provided an update indicating that the armed men had now moved to the hotel lobby. “The unidentified armed men have left my door,” he announced, adding that he was prepared to leave once Tanzanian lawyers arrived to provide assistance. His safety was his priority, and for the moment, he stayed where he was, thanking supporters for their solidarity.

This incident has sparked significant online discourse, particularly as it followed the concerning events surrounding Martha Karua’s arrest. Significant political figures within Kenya have responded, with Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka suggesting that actions taken by Tanzanian authorities reveal a troubling trend of democratic regression within the East African Community.

As of now, there has been no formal response from Tanzanian authorities regarding this unsettling hotel incident involving Mwangi. The atmosphere continues to be charged as the situation develops, and observers are keenly watching for future implications on the region’s political stability.

In summary, Boniface Mwangi’s alarming encounter with armed men at a hotel in Tanzania underscores the heightened risks faced by activists in the region. This incident, coinciding with the deportation of other Kenyan political figures, brings to light the broader concerns regarding political freedom and safety in Tanzania under President Suluhu Hassan’s rule. The urgent need for clarity and a response from Tanzanian authorities remains imperative as the situation unfolds.

Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke