Tension is high at the Kenya–Tanzania border in Lungalunga after Nyota TV journalist Shaban Shoka was arrested by Tanzanian authorities on Friday. Shoka was reportedly in the company of civil society members conducting a fact-finding mission at the one-stop border post when the incident occurred.
According to witnesses, the team was assessing the situation following chaos that erupted in Tanzania amid its ongoing general elections when Tanzanian officers allegedly crossed into Kenyan territory and apprehended the journalist.
Human rights activists Walid Sketty (Vocal Africa), Francis Auma (Muhuri), and Brandly Ouma (Concerned Citizens Organisation)—who were with Shoka during the ordeal—confirmed the arrest, expressing deep concern for his safety and calling on the Kenyan government to urgently intervene.
“We are worried for his safety and urge the government of Kenya to step in and help rescue the journalist,” said Auma.
The activists accused Tanzanian security personnel of violating Kenyan sovereignty by conducting an arrest on Kenyan soil. They also recounted narrowly escaping the scene as the officers allegedly charged toward them.
“We were forced to run for our lives because we know how the Tanzanian authorities operate. With the current unrest in their country, anything could have happened to us,” Auma added.
Walid Sketty said their mission was purely humanitarian and aimed at monitoring potential human rights violations along the border.
“We had gone there to observe and ensure no one’s rights were being violated. We were shocked to realize we were being trailed by Tanzanian police before they caught up with Shoka,” Sketty said. “We demand his immediate release because we were doing nothing illegal.”
The incident has sparked outrage among human rights organizations and journalists in Kenya, who are demanding an explanation from both governments regarding the cross-border arrest and the violation of press freedom.
As of press time, the whereabouts of Shaban Shoka remain unknown, with Kenyan authorities yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
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