By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, December 14 2025 -Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA, has accused prison authorities in Bunda, Mara Region, of subjecting detainees, including a senior party figure and several minors, to cruel and unlawful treatment in defiance of court orders.
The party says it is increasingly worried about the condition of Yohana Kaunya, a former Secretary-General of the National Youth Council, who has reportedly grown weaker while held in remand. According to CHADEMA, Kaunya has suffered harsh treatment while under state custody, worsening the injuries he is alleged to have sustained before his first court appearance.
What is most distressing, the party notes, is that the Bunda District Court had directed that Kaunya and others injured during their arrest be taken to hospital for treatment. CHADEMA insists that, despite the clear court instructions, none of the detainees has received medical attention.
The party further claims that individuals from outside the prison have repeatedly accessed the facility, where they allegedly subjected Kaunya and 29 co-accused persons to intimidation and mistreatment. Among those detained are students under the age of 18, arrested in connection with demonstrations that took place in Bunda on 29 November.
CHADEMA says the group has not been returned to court since their initial appearance, and no official explanation has been issued to justify the delay.
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The party described the allegations as a disturbing breach of human rights, cited in various national and international protections, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and Tanzania’s Constitution.
It also referenced the country’s Prisons Act, which obliges officers to safeguard inmates’ wellbeing and expressly prohibits torture or degrading treatment.
“The law is clear. Prison officers are required to protect detainees, ensure their access to medical care, and prevent any unlawful punishment,” the statement read. CHADEMA criticised what it termed “cruel and inhumane actions” that violate Tanzania’s legal obligations and undermine the dignity of citizens.
The party has demanded the immediate transfer of Kaunya and the others to hospital for proper assessments and treatment. It vowed to continue monitoring the situation closely and warned that it will pursue all available legal avenues should the alleged violations persist.
