Kenyan leaders hit back at Tanzanian MPs over 'arrogant remarks'

A section of Kenyan leaders has condemned Tanzania's Parliament for backing President Samia Suluhu Hassan following the arrest and subsequent deportation of Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire.

Reports indicate that the activists were tortured, held without contact and deported, prompting widespread condemnation from Kenya, regional bodies and international organisations.

This follows comments by Tanzanian MPs during a budget debate on Monday, where they accused Kenya of meddling with Tanzanian affairs. MP Joseph Musukuma even claimed that Tanzania is "far ahead of Kenya politically and intellectually".

"We top in everything. Speaking good English isn't a priority for us," Musukuma said, dismissing Kenyans who were criticising Suluhu on social media.

The remarks by Tanzanian lawmakers sparked sharp reactions from Kenyan leaders, with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna responding with sarcasm, taking a jab at the perceived arrogance of Tanzanian MPs.

In a post on X, Sifuna quipped, "Kesho italazim Kiswahili tu bungeni ili wenzetu wa Tanzania watupate kwa njia ya uhakiki," which loosely translates to "Tomorrow, we'll use only Kiswahili in Parliament so our Tanzanian counterparts can clearly understand us."

Senators are expected to convene for a session on Tuesday, with Sifuna's comments raising the likelihood that the diplomatic spat with Tanzania will feature prominently on the agenda.

People's Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua also weighed in on the matter, reposting a video of Tanzanian MP Maryam Omar Said on Monday, who stirred controversy in Parliament by insisting that Karua should not have been deported to Kenya but rather "dealt with."

"Tumemwacha Martha Karua aendelee kuzungumza akiwa Kenya... hili lisitokee tena; anaye kuja kwetu tunamalizana na yeye hapa hapa," Said stated, a chilling remark that loosely translates to, "We've let Martha Karua continue speaking from Kenya... this should never happen again; anyone who comes here, we finish with them right here."

Approximately 10 days ago, Karua was barred from entering Tanzania, where she was expected to represent opposition figure Tundu Lissu, who has been charged with treason, a crime that carries a potential death sentence.

She was held at the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, with Tanzanian immigration officials withholding her passport and delaying her entry without explanation before she was later deported.

Karua captioned Said's video with "For your attention only," tagging President Suluhu and the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party.

On Tuesday, Martha Karua intensified her criticism of the Tanzanian Parliament, delivering a sharp rebuke in Kiswahili.

"Taifa ambalo bunge lake linakiuka waziwazi katiba yake, sheria za kikanda na za kimataifa, na linatumia nguvu dhidi ya wengine, haliwezi kutarajiwa kulinda haki za raia wake, hasa wale wanaokabiliwa na mashtaka yenye msingi wa kisiasa kama @TunduALissu," said Karua.

Loosely translated, Karua, who did not mince her words, warned that a country whose Parliament openly violates its own constitution, regional and international laws and uses force against others cannot be expected to protect the rights of its own citizens, especially those facing politically motivated charges like Lissu.

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• President Samia Suluhu Hassan
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• Human rights violations Tanzania
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