Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has defended Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu’s decision to ban Kenyan activists from her country.
The senator said it is President Suluhu’s right to stop interference in the internal affairs of her country, this coming two days after several high-profile Kenyan activists were detained before being deported by Tanzanian authorities.
Those deported on Monday morning included former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, activist journalist Hanifa Adan, and VOCAL Africa CEO Hussein Khalid
Their visit came ahead of a crucial court session to deliberate a case against former Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
In a statement on Tuesday, May 20, Cherargei said the activists should not transfer "bad manners" to Tanzania or fund destabilisation efforts there.
“I fully support H.E. Suluhu, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, for banning Kenya's activists for trying to interfere with the domestic affairs of her country," said Cherargei.
He added: "The international relations provide for mutual respect to friendly nations. The activists should not transfer bad manners to Tanzania and their funding of destabilising there.”
On May 19, during a public forum, President Suluhu accused some Kenyan activists of trying to cause trouble in her country.
“We’ve started seeing a trend where some activists from our neighbouring countries are trying to meddle in our business. If you have been contained in their countries, don't come here to ruin our peace,” Suluhu said.
While claiming that Tanzania was one of the few countries in the East African region to have a high degree of political stability, Suluhu warned that any attempts to disrupt the peace would not be tolerated.
Karua on Sunday, announced that People’s Liberation Party (PLP) Martha Karua and other activists, were also deported to Kenya hours after their passports were confiscated at the Julius Nyerere International Airport.
Lissu, a politician, anti-graft activist, and former Member of Parliament for the Singida East constituency, has gained attention in recent days, particularly from Kenya, amid his court appearance where he is set to answer treason charges. He is set to remain in custody until June 2025.
