Kenya’s diplomatic flip-flop, gives neighbours free hand

The arrest, torture and deportation of Kenyan civil society activists from Tanzania this week, has not only brought into sharp focus East African Community (EAC) states’ fidelity to the blocs treaty but also Kenya’s diplomatic flip-flop that has often exposed citizens to danger in the region.

Activists Boniface Mwangi of Kenya and Agather Atuhaire of Uganda were badly tortured for over four days and dumped on the borders of their respective countries following arrest in Dar es Salaam, where they had travelled at the beginning of the week to be in solidarity with detained opposition supremo Tundu Lissu, who is facing treason charges deemed politically motivated.