April 30, 2026
Police Arrest Six Kenyan Activists Outside Tanzanian Embassy

Police Arrest Six Kenyan Activists Outside Tanzanian Embassy

Six human rights campaigners were arrested on Tuesday, December 9, while appealing to the Tanzanian Embassy in Kenya ahead of planned rallies in the neighboring country.

They had camped out at the embassy to demand accountability for the claimed mass deaths in Tanzania following the contentious presidential elections, in which Samia Suluhu won almost unchallenged.

In a statement, the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) accused President William Ruto of ‘shielding’ Suluhu’s government and demanded greater responsibility.

“Police have arrested five human rights defenders who were petitioning the Embassy of Tanzania in Kenya, demanding accountability for the mass killings overseen by Samia Suluhu since 29 October,” KHRC said in a statement.

Activists held included Frederick Ojiro, Julius Kamau, Vincent Mboya, Lichuma, and Shem.

One of the campaigners, Geoffrey Mboya, justified the team’s presence at the Embassy, saying they were there to show solidarity with their neighbours.

“We’re here to express support for the people of Tanzania as they demonstrate against a dictatorship. We are part of the East Africa community, and whatever happens in Tanzania affects all of us,” he said. 

A day earlier, the KHRC announced its position on Tanzania’s ongoing crisis, endorsing plans for statewide protests on December 9.

The KHRC and other organizations have released a statement condemning the violence and unlawful seizure of power in Tanzania, emphasizing ‘the systematic repression of democratic space’.

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According to the KHRC, Tanzania experienced a concerted crackdown, with security personnel and foreign mercenaries targeting protestors, religious orders, and human rights activists, while digital platforms were banned to destroy evidence.

In Tanzania, authorities have intensified security and restricted movement on Tuesday, with all residents being urged to stay indoors.

A CNN journalist issued an update on the situation in Tanzania, indicating that most of the streets in major towns were empty amid heavy military presence in most areas.

Police in Nairobi were also on high alert, and there was a considerable heavy security presence along Taifa Road, presumably to secure Re-Insurance Plaza, where the Tanzania embassy is located.

Police Arrest Six Kenyan Activists Outside Tanzanian Embassy

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