Kenyan Activist Details Horrific Sexual Torture in Tanzanian Detention

Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi has disclosed that he faced sexual torture during his detention in Tanzania last month. Mwangi, who traveled to support opposition leader Tundu Lissu, bravely recounted his harrowing ordeal at a press conference in Nairobi, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability ahead of Tanzania's upcoming elections.

A prominent Kenyan activist, Boniface Mwangi, has opened up about the horrific experience of being sexually tortured while detained in Tanzania last month. Speaking with the BBC, Mwangi described feeling “struggling to be alive” after the torment he faced as he expressed his desire to raise awareness about human rights violations in the region.

Mwangi traveled to Tanzania to show solidarity with detained opposition politician Tundu Lissu when he was allegedly captured by authorities. He tearfully detailed how he was stripped naked, beaten, and subjected to sexual assault during his time in custody. Alongside Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire, who also shared her traumatic account of being raped while detained, Mwangi claimed he was threatened with footage of his assaults being leaked if he spoke out.

Tanzanian police chief Jumanne Muliro has disputed Mwangi’s claims, referring to them as "hearsay" and encouraging him to pursue an official complaint. His testimony, however, has garnered the attention of regional rights organizations and Amnesty International, sparking calls for investigations into the alleged abuses, particularly in light of increasing repression under President Samia Suluhu Hassan's government.

At the emotional press conference held in Nairobi, Mwangi recounted the psychological scars left by the torture, stating, “You have a lot of nightmares… and you're thinking you're going to get killed.” He also revealed his physical wounds, emphasizing the severity of his injuries and the urgent need for thorough medical examination to corroborate his claims.

The tortured duo’s visit to Tanzania was to lend support to Lissu, who has been a vocal advocate for electoral reform, facing serious charges that his supporters label as politically motivated. Mwangi reflected on their detention, expressing disbelief that such a brazen act could occur in daylight from a well-known hotel. With both activists’ whereabouts initially unclear, their treatment has sparked outrage and condemnation from various corners, including the U.S. Department of State which has expressed deep concern regarding their mistreatment.

Mwangi’s experience, he believes, underscores the pervasive issues of human rights abuses in East Africa, reinforcing his commitment to activism across the continent. He urges that no one else should endure what he has faced, laying bare the dire need for accountability and reform in Tanzanian leadership amid looming elections.