President William Ruto has sought to reaffirm Kenya’s commitment to maintaining strong diplomatic ties with Tanzania, following reports that several Kenyan activists were detained and mistreated in Tanzania.
Speaking at the Annual National Prayer Breakfast in Nairobi, President Ruto extended a heartfelt apology to Tanzania and Uganda.
“To our neighbors in Tanzania, if we have wronged you in any way, we sincerely ask for your forgiveness. If any mistake has been made by Kenyans, we apologize,” he said. He further emphasized Kenya’s commitment to nurturing a relationship that promotes regional unity and progress.
Tanzanian President Suluhu Reaffirms Stance Against External Interference
On the other hand, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, during an event held on Saturday, May 24, reiterated her strong position against what she described as attempts by “outsiders” to destabilize Tanzania. President Suluhu pledged to protect the country’s sovereignty and prevent any foreign interference.
She called on both government officials and citizens to stay vigilant and actively safeguard the nation from harmful external influences.
“The responsibility to protect this country does not rest on me alone, nor solely on the defense and security forces; it is a duty shared by all of us,” she said in Swahili.
This statement came after the deportation of several activists, including People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua, former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, Hanida Adan, and Hussein Khalid, who had traveled to Tanzania to support opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who faces treason charges. Two other activists, Boniface Mwangi from Kenya and Agather Atuhaire from Uganda, were also detained and deported.
President Suluhu accused these individuals of interfering in Tanzania’s internal matters. “We have witnessed a surge of activists in the region trying to meddle in our affairs. They may be controlled in their own countries, but they will not come and cause chaos here,” she warned.
She added that some of these activists are under pressure or surveillance in their home countries and are now attempting to shift their disruptive activities to Tanzania. “They have caused unrest elsewhere, and now they want to bring that turmoil to a country that is peaceful and united,” she noted.
“They have destabilized their own countries. Let us not allow those who have destroyed their nations to disrupt ours,” Suluhu concluded, urging security agencies to act decisively whenever public order is at risk.
