President William Ruto has taken steps to reassure Tanzania of Kenya’s dedication to upholding robust diplomatic ties, following a recent occurrence where several Kenyan activists were allegedly detained and mistreated in Tanzania.
During the Annual National Prayer Breakfast in Nairobi, President Ruto seemed to offer an olive branch to Tanzania on behalf of the activists.
“To our neighbors from Tanzania, if we have offended you in any manner, we seek your forgiveness. If there has been any misstep on our part, we sincerely apologize,” he remarked, extending this sentiment to Uganda.
“If there is anything that Kenyans have done that is inappropriate, we wish to express our apologies.”
Ruto emphasized that as Kenyans, they aspire to cultivate a relationship that will enhance the greatness of their country.
Speaking on Saturday at an event, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan reaffirmed her previous position against what she referred to as “outsiders” attempting to destabilize the nation.
Suluhu declared that she would not permit any form of external interference as she pledged to continue protecting her country’s sovereignty and interests.
In this context, she urged both government officials and citizens to remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding the nation from adverse external influences.
“The responsibility to protect this country does not rest solely with me, nor is it exclusively that of the defense and security forces; it is a duty that belongs to all of us,” she stated in Swahili.
Her remarks come in the wake of the deportation of PLP leader Martha Karua, former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, Hanida Adan, and Hussein Khalid.
They had arrived in the country to express solidarity with opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who was scheduled to face treason charges in court.
Additionally, two other activists, Boniface Mwangi and Uganda’s Agather Atuhaire, were apprehended and subsequently deported.
According to Suluhu, their actions constituted external interference in the internal matters of the country.
“We have observed a trend of activists from our region beginning to meddle in our affairs. While they may have been restrained in their own nations, they will not be permitted to disrupt our peace here.”
The President claimed that some of these activists are under scrutiny or facing pressure in their respective countries and are now attempting to redirect their efforts towards Tanzania.
She voiced her apprehension that these individuals, who have previously incited unrest elsewhere, are aiming to instigate similar turmoil in a nation she characterized as “peaceful and united.”
“They have wreaked havoc in their own countries, and now the only nation that remains peaceful and united is ours. We must not permit those who have devastated their nations to come here and create disturbances,” Suluhu cautioned.
She called upon law enforcement agencies to respond promptly and effectively whenever there is an attempt to disrupt public order, emphasizing the importance of vigilance in maintaining national unity.
