The incident has added fuel to growing regional concerns about human rights violations across East Africa.
Our newsroom has been reporting consistently on rising tensions surrounding the Tanzanian government in recent weeks — a trend that several outlets later echoed in their own coverage.
Our newsroom has been reporting consistently on rising tensions surrounding the Tanzanian government in recent weeks — a trend that several outlets later echoed in their own coverage.
Tuesday’s arrests follow the same pattern we highlighted earlier, showing how the situation continues to escalate beyond Tanzania’s borders.
The activists had gathered outside the embassy to deliver a petition. They wanted Tanzania’s government to answer for what they described as mass killings, injuries, and widespread intimidation since late October. Before they could complete their mission, police officers detained them.
Those arrested include Frederick Ojiro, Julius Kamau, Vincent Mboya, Lichuma, and Shem — all known for their work within Kenya’s human rights community.
Witnesses say the group was peaceful and simply reading out parts of their petition when they were confronted by authorities.
The activists had gathered outside the embassy to deliver a petition. They wanted Tanzania’s government to answer for what they described as mass killings, injuries, and widespread intimidation since late October. Before they could complete their mission, police officers detained them.
Those arrested include Frederick Ojiro, Julius Kamau, Vincent Mboya, Lichuma, and Shem — all known for their work within Kenya’s human rights community.
Witnesses say the group was peaceful and simply reading out parts of their petition when they were confronted by authorities.
Passersby watched in confusion as officers quickly bundled the activists into police vehicles.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) sharply criticised the detention, calling it unnecessary and unlawful.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) sharply criticised the detention, calling it unnecessary and unlawful.
According to the KHRC, the activists were exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly and should not have been harassed.
In a statement shared with the media, the organisation demanded their immediate release and accused the Kenyan government of shielding President Samia Suluhu Hassan from scrutiny.
KHRC argued that Kenya should support calls for justice instead of silencing voices trying to raise concern.
In a statement shared with the media, the organisation demanded their immediate release and accused the Kenyan government of shielding President Samia Suluhu Hassan from scrutiny.
KHRC argued that Kenya should support calls for justice instead of silencing voices trying to raise concern.
The statement pointed to repeated warnings about increasing violence in Tanzania and insisted that ignoring the crisis only gives room for more abuses.
The arrests come at a time when pressure is mounting on the Tanzanian administration. Over the past few weeks, activists, lawyers, and international observers have raised alarm over what they describe as systematic attempts to silence dissent.
On the day before the arrests, several activists gathered at KHRC offices in Nairobi to brief the media about the situation. They accused Tanzanian authorities of using excessive force, blocking protests, and creating fear among citizens.
One activist claimed the violence had resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries, along with cases of families being denied the right to bury their relatives.
The arrests come at a time when pressure is mounting on the Tanzanian administration. Over the past few weeks, activists, lawyers, and international observers have raised alarm over what they describe as systematic attempts to silence dissent.
On the day before the arrests, several activists gathered at KHRC offices in Nairobi to brief the media about the situation. They accused Tanzanian authorities of using excessive force, blocking protests, and creating fear among citizens.
One activist claimed the violence had resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries, along with cases of families being denied the right to bury their relatives.
Others mentioned bodies disappearing, hospitals being raided, and medical workers facing threats or abductions for treating injured protesters.
Bob Njagi, who spoke on behalf of several human rights groups, dismissed a government-appointed commission investigating the violence.
Bob Njagi, who spoke on behalf of several human rights groups, dismissed a government-appointed commission investigating the violence.
He argued that the commission cannot be trusted because it was formed by the same administration accused of abuses.
Part of the tension stems from Tanzania’s decision to ban nationwide demonstrations scheduled for December 9.
Part of the tension stems from Tanzania’s decision to ban nationwide demonstrations scheduled for December 9.
Despite calls for peaceful protests circulating online, the Tanzanian police said no official notice had been submitted by any organisation.
Police spokesperson David Misime insisted the protests were illegal, further heightening concerns about freedom of expression and assembly.
Police spokesperson David Misime insisted the protests were illegal, further heightening concerns about freedom of expression and assembly.
