Taiwan accuses Kenya of blocking scholars from ocean conference

Taiwan said Kenya’s handling of two scholars headed to a major ocean summit showed how coercion against the island is no longer confined to the Taiwan Strait. The scholars were detained in Mombasa for more than 20 hours, their passports and mobile phones were confiscated, and the rest of the Taiwanese delegation withdrew after the incident.

The dispute unfolded around the 11th Our Ocean Conference, which Kenya is hosting in Mombasa from June 16 to 18, 2026, the first time the gathering has been held on African soil. Taiwan said the two delegates were blocked from attending despite being part of a delegation expected at a forum focused on climate change, biodiversity, pollution, sustainable fisheries, maritime security and the blue economy.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry accused China of pressuring the Kenyan government to deny the scholars access and called the move a violation of human rights and international norms. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-Lung said efforts by Beijing to force other countries to limit Taiwan’s access to international events had become “the new normal,” framing the episode as part of a broader campaign to narrow Taiwan’s space in global institutions.

Kenya defended its position. Foreign Ministry Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei said Kenya “recognizes only one China,” and said anyone presenting a Taiwanese passport would not ordinarily be admitted through its borders. Taiwan’s Ocean Affairs Council said the conference’s online system had removed the “Taiwan” registration option, access from Taiwanese IP addresses had been blocked and previously approved electronic travel authorizations were later revoked for some members of the delegation.

Taiwan has taken part in the Our Ocean Conference since 2022, and the setback in Mombasa lands at a moment when the meeting is meant to showcase shared action on the world’s seas. The conference says it has mobilized more than 2,900 commitments worth about US$169 billion since 2014, underscoring what is at stake when political pressure reaches into a forum built around conservation, security and sustainable development.