People's Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has slammed Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu for accusing her and other Kenyan activists of allegedly invading Tanzania.
Karua, in a brief statement on Monday evening, dismissed Suluhu's sentiments, stating that she and her co-accused entered Tanzania legally and through the proper channel.
According to Karua, despite entering Tanzania legally and through the proper channel, Suluhu's administration went against the East African Community's (EAC) free border access policy by denying them entry into the country.
The former Azimio la Umoja principal maintained that the Tanzanian Head of State denied them entry and ordered their forceful ejection from the country, contradicting regional unity and cooperation.
"Samia Suluhu, we did not invade your country. We came legally as people from the East African Community (EAC) bloc, but we were barred from entry, against the region's free border access, and ejected," Karua commented.
Karua's backlash comes hours after the Tanzanian President issued a stern warning against external interference by foreign activists, whom she accused of meddling in their affairs.
Speaking during a public event on Monday afternoon, Suluhu criticised Karua and other Kenyan activists for entering the country with the sole aim of destabilising it.
In particular, the Tanzanian Head of State cited the surge in political activism within the region, which, according to her, propagated their activities mainly through social media platforms.
"We have begun witnessing a stream of activists from within this region attempting to interfere with our activities. They have destroyed their countries, now they want to do the same with ours," Suluhu claimed.
She went on to add, "I have seen several clips purporting that I am being biased. What I am simply doing is to protect my country. We will not allow that to happen here."
Suluhu urged law enforcement agencies to act swiftly and decisively whenever they spot foreigners with ill intentions attempting to enter the country, further reiterating the need for vigilance.
The Tanzanian President made the comments a day after she deported six Kenyans, including Martha Karua, former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, activist Boniface Mwangi, and journalist Hanifa Adan.
During the incident, which took place on Sunday, May 18, the six had their passports confiscated at Julius Nyerere International Airport, moments after their arrival.
The six Kenyans had attempted to enter Tanzania in solidarity with the country's detained opposition leader, Tundu Lissu, who is accused of committing treason.
