EX-CJ MUTUNGA, ACTIVISTS HANIFA, HUSSEIN KHALID DETAINED IN TANZANIA

Prominent Kenyan activists and leaders, including former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and human rights defenders Hanifa Adan and Hussein Khalid, were detained at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam on Sunday evening. 

Tanzanian authorities held them pending deportation without providing clear reasons. The incident occurred hours after People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua was similarly denied entry and deported back to Kenya. 

The activists had traveled to Tanzania in solidarity with Tanzanian lawyers and human rights defenders, particularly for the court case of opposition figure Tundu Lissu. Khalid, a lawyer and activist, confirmed their detention on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “We, @WMutunga, @Honeyfarsafi and I have been detained at Julius Nyerere Airport, Dar es Salaam, as we came in for the observance of @TunduALissu’s case. The trip was in solidarity with Tanzanian lawyers and human rights defenders. They have not given reasons for the detention.”

Hanifa Adan, an activist, also shared their ordeal on social media, posting, “Hello guys. We’ve been detained at Julius Nyerere International Airport, and we’re not being told why. This is utterly ridiculous and petty. It’s 3am and it’s cold here damn. I’m here with Willy Mutunga and Hussein Khalid. We all traveled in solidarity with Tundu Lissu, who has a mention in court today (Monday).”

Later, Hanifa confirmed that the group was being deported. By Monday morning, they remained stranded at the airport, awaiting return to Kenya. In a follow-up post around 6 a.m., she described their harsh conditions, “We’ve been held at Julius Nyerere International Airport since 2 a.m. The terminals are deserted, the floors are cold, and we’re hungry. Everyone seems to have gone to sleep, leaving us stranded. I’m genuinely asking what President Samia is so afraid of? This situation is utterly absurd.”