President Uhuru and Magufuli's recently signed trans border pact is questionable- Haki Africa claims

Haki Africa CEO (right front row) flanked by family members and Haki Africa staff during a presser on Sunday. Photo by Author

By Mwarandu Randu

Haki Africa, a civil rights crusader in Mombasa County has argued on the the validity of the trans-border pact signed by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Tanzanian counterpart John Pombe Magufuli.

This comes after a case of disappearance by a Kenyan youth, Hamisi Zuma who hails from Kinango in Kwale County was reported at the organisation.

According to the family, the victim is alleged to have disappeared under unclear circumstances after crossing the Kenya-Tanzania border on Monday last week.

Addressing the media in Mombasa on Sunday, Haki Africa Executive Director Hussein Khalid urged the two governments to address the issue with a lot of concern.

“We are alarmed as human rights defenders. This is a very serious case and the two governments should come out clear. We are again worried about the trans border pact.” Khalid noted

The Haki Africa CEO expressed dissatisfaction on the validity of the border pact between the countries.

He adds “there may so many Kenyans who maybe undergoing similar challenges along the  border points”

Khalid urged Tanzania President John Magufuli and his Kenyan counterpart President Uhuru Kenyatta to ensure that justice is delivered to the family.

Khalid further urged the investigative agencies from both the two countries to fast track the investigations.

“We are calling on the investigative agencies from the Tanzania to fast track the investigations and shed light on this matter. We know that President Magufuli is a fast actor” he said.   

On the other hand, the parent of the victim Mohammed Mbetsa, pleaded the two governments to ensure that justice prevails.

The lamenting parent added “efforts to bring back my son bore no fruits”

He allegedly accused police officers at Duga Police Station in Tanzania for mistreating him while looking for his son at the station.

“I was mistreated by police officers at Duga Police Station where my son was taken after being arrested” he explained.

According to Mr. Mbetsa, the victim was arrested after crossing the Kenyan Tanzania border.

Mbetsa also noted that Hamisi was attached at Base Titanium in Kwale County after having successfully graduated at Nairobi University with a degree in Environment and Natural Resources.

“I come from a hard hit area full of economic challenges. I decided to invest in educating my son and now I cannot imagine that my son is gone. He had graduated from the University of Nairobi with a degree in environment and natural resources” Mr. Mbetsa pointed out.

Meanwhile, Zeitun Abeid, a wife to the victim lamented on for the quest for justice.

The wife, currently expectant says they got married early this year.

“I want justice to be done. We have been living together happily since marriage in March this year” she said.

Zeitun also noted that her youthful husband has not been linked to any form of criminality or whatsoever.

“If there is anything then we have to be notified. My husband has not been involved in any crime” she said

In November, the lobby group called on the Kenyan government to set up a judicial inquiry to investigate extra judicial killings and forceful disappearances.

Haki Africa further called on Kenyan security agents to adhere to the rule of law.