Former CJ Willy Mutunga, Activists Deported from Tanzania Amid Silence on Reasons
Former CJ Willy Mutunga, activist Hanifa Adan, and Hussein Khalid were deported from Tanzania after being detained at Julius Nyerere International Airport. The trio had traveled to support opposition leader Tundu Lissu. No official reason was given for their denial of entry.
Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, journalist-activist Hanifa Adan, and VOCAL Africa CEO Hussein Khalid have been deported from Tanzania after being detained for several hours at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam. The three had traveled to support detained opposition leader Tundu Lissu at the invitation of the East Africa Law Society.
Hanifa, in an update shared via X, confirmed that they would arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi at 4:00 pm on Monday, May 19, 2025. She praised Kenya Airways staff in Tanzania for assisting with the deportation process, though she also criticized Tanzanias political environment, calling it "not yet Uhuru."
Khalid, who was also part of the delegation, lamented the lack of explanation from Tanzanian authorities regarding their detention and denial of entry. He said they were only informed of their deportation once they were handed back their passports and directed to board a 2:50 pm flight to Nairobi.
The trios ordeal mirrors a similar incident involving Martha Karua and other human rights defenders who were recently detained and deported from the same airport. Questions continue to mount over Tanzanias handling of regional human rights advocates and visiting dignitaries.
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