Tanzania President Suluhu Fires At Kenya After Deporting Activists
Suluhu did not hold back—she criticised the Kenyan activists, accusing them of trying to stir unrest in her country.
Marvin Chege 
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu has finally addressed the recent arrest and deportation of several prominent Kenyans from Tanzania over the weekend.
Speaking at a public event on Monday, May 19, Suluhu did not hold back—she criticised the Kenyan activists, accusing them of trying to stir unrest in her country.
Known for her no-nonsense approach, Suluhu also threw shade at Kenya’s political scene, implying that some of these activists, frustrated by their lack of impact back home, were now trying to meddle in Tanzania’s business.
"We have started seeing a trend where some activists from our neighbouring countries are trying to meddle in our business," she hit out, comments that could strain diplomatic ties between Kenya and Tanzania even further.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan during a past address. /NEW AFRICAN MAGAZINE
"If they have been contained in their own country, let them not try to come to ruin our peace. We should not give them space; they have already ruined and destabilised their country."
Suluhu, who made history as Tanzania’s first female president when she took office on March 19, 2021, emphasised that Tanzania is among the most politically stable nations in East Africa. She issued a stern warning that any efforts to disturb that peace would be met with zero tolerance.
"The country that remains is not in ruins. People have security, peace and stability, it is here in our home. There are several attempts, I'm pleading with the defence and security agencies as well as those who represent our policies abroad not to give an opportunity to indisciplined people from the other country to come and ruin things here," she fired.
Her comments came just as another group of Kenyans—including former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, activist journalist Hanifa Adan, and VOCAL Africa CEO Hussein Khalid—were detained on Monday morning while trying to enter Tanzania in support of jailed opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
Just like Martha Karua and other activists who were stopped on Sunday, the trio had their passports seized at Julius Nyerere International Airport and were deported back to Kenya within hours.
Lissu, a former MP for Singida East and a known anti-corruption advocate, is currently facing treason charges, drawing increased attention, especially from Kenya. As the chairman of CHADEMA, Tanzania’s main opposition party, he has gained backing from Kenyan leaders and activists critical of their government, including Karua of the People’s Liberation Party.
His arrest has sparked backlash against Suluhu, with critics from both Tanzania and Kenya accusing her of clamping down on political dissent. However, in her address, she was having none of that relentless criticism.
"I've seen several clips accusing me of being biased and whatever, what I am doing is protecting my country and the responsibility bestowed upon me. Therefore, we will not give space to anybody to come here and sabotage us, whether within or outside the country," she vowed.
On Sunday, May 18, Kenya's Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino called for Suluhu to be banned from entering Kenya, arguing that Kenya should reciprocate after Tanzanian authorities detained and deported.
He went on to caution the Tanzanian President against setting foot in Kenya, stating, "Don’t ever come to Kenya if you can’t behave. We will not entertain such conduct unbecoming of a Leader."
