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Kenyan journalist recounts harrowing ordeal in Tanzanian custody
31st October, 2025 09:36 PM
A Kenyan journalist, Juma Shoka, who was arrested by Tanzanian police on Friday, October 31, 2025, has painfully narrated his five-hour ordeal while in police custody.
Shoka was apprehended at the Hororo border in Lunga-Lunga Sub-county at around 10:00 am while on a fact-finding mission alongside human rights activists from Muhuri, Vocal Africa, and Concerned Citizens.
He was later released in the evening following the intervention of Kenyan security agencies at the Lunga-Lunga One Stop Border Post.
According to Shoka, his nightmare began when Tanzanian officers accused him of being a spy.
“They told me I was a spy and went through my camera and other belongings, but found nothing against me,” he recalled.
The officers confiscated his identity card and press card, questioning him repeatedly as he sat in fear, uncertain of what awaited him.
“Each time they interrogated me, I felt helpless. It was overwhelming,” he said.
The 31-year-old journalist said he tried to explain that he meant no harm and had only accompanied activists who were documenting cross-border issues.
Juma said he kept on telling them that he was not their enemy and was on a friendly tour.
Also watch: 2 Kenyans shot at Namanga border amid Tanzania election protests.
Terrifying moment of my life
He described the experience as one of the most terrifying moments of his life.
“I was very scared. At some point, I thought I would rot in a Tanzanian prison,” he said, his voice breaking.
Juma added that all he could think about was his freedom and finding his way back home to Kenya.
He said that even in his darkest moment, he held onto hope that truth would prevail.
Rescue mission
Juma said relief only came when he received a phone call from Nairobi informing him that the Lunga-Lunga OCS was on his way to pick him up.
“That call was like a light in the darkest tunnel. It gave me hope that freedom would come at last,” he said.
Moments later, the Kenyan police arrived and began engaging their Tanzanian counterparts to secure his release.
After hours of negotiations, Juma was freed and handed over to Kenyan authorities, who escorted him safely across the border.
Juma said stepping back into his country felt like a rebirth.
“I breathed deeply, grateful to see the Kenyan flag again. That moment will stay with me forever,” Shoka said in a phone interview.
