Tanzanian MPs defend President Samia amid Kenyan backlash over activists' detention, deportation
MPs said the government’s actions as necessary and said Tanzania was acting within its rights to protect its national interests.
Tanzanian MPs have angrily responded to criticism from Kenyans targeting President Samia Suluhu Hassan, after the arrest and deportation of Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire.
During a tense budget debate in Parliament on Monday, Geita MP Joseph Musukuma claimed that Kenyans were interfering in Tanzania’s internal issues.
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He defended the government’s actions as necessary and said Tanzania was acting within its rights to protect its national interests.
“We are far ahead of them politically and intellectually. We top in everything. Speaking good English isn’t a priority for us,” Musukuma stated, dismissing online trolling from Kenyans who criticised the President over the incident.
Mwangi and Atuhaire were detained on May 18 after arriving in Tanzania to observe the court proceedings of opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
They were reportedly tortured, held without contact, and deported in a move that sparked condemnation from across the region and international organisations.
Felista Deogratius Njau, a Women Representative, condemned Kenyan internet users who used artificial intelligence to create images mocking President Suluhu.
“How can they bully our President Samia Suluhu Hassan? I condemn this behaviour because it is not acceptable in the community. Our President must be respected, not bullied,” she said.
Bunda MP Boniphace Mwita Getere also supported President Suluhu’s decisions, saying she was acting in her role as head of state and military leader.
“She is not just a calm leader. She is the Commander-in-Chief, and when our country is threatened, she takes action,” Getere stated.
The treatment of the two activists has led to pressure from human rights groups and foreign governments.
The United States Bureau of African Affairs issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter), saying it was “deeply concerned” by the reported mistreatment and calling for an investigation.
The statement highlighted that Atuhaire was previously honoured by the US State Department as an “International Women of Courage” recipient.
Amnesty International also issued a statement demanding an investigation by Tanzanian authorities into the activists’ “arbitrary arrest, torture, incommunicado detention, and forcible deportation.”
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