Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has accused Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu of straining her country's relationship with Kenya, and called for intervention from external parties.
Owino has further slammed the Tanzanian MPs for dispensing "juvenile rants" against Kenyans, moves he has warned are eroding the healthy relationship and history the two countries have shared over the years.
In a statement on Tuesday, May 27, the lawmaker said that the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the African Union (AU) should spearhead dialogue between the two countries to restore peace between the countries.
"How can it be that patriotic unarmed Kenyans who cross into a neighbouring country can be arrested, held incommunicado, tortured and deported by a nation with whom we share a national language and whose people and ours overlap in origin, descent and culture more than 60 per cent?" the MP said.
"We call upon the leaders of the East African Community, IGAD, and the AU to engage in meaningful dialogue that will de-escalate any unnecessary tensions between the citizens of our region for the sake of international security, peace, and effective mobility of people and goods across our borders," he added.
Owino has further urged Suluhu to refrain from a "single-party dictatorship" and embrace the opposition to catalyse the growth and democracy of her country.
"In the twenty-first century, those who seek to govern must seek the consent of the people through persuasion, not coercion. They should get into office through the ballot and not the bullet," Owino said.
Owino further urged IGAD and AU to also engage with other East African nations, such as Somalia, South Sudan, DRC, which are experiencing conflicts, and help them restore peace and stability.
The lawmaker said restoring peace in the region will be pivotal in propelling the regional economy and restoring security to ensure the effective mobility of people and goods across our borders.
The relationship between Kenya and Tanzanian leaders took a turn after the Tanzanian government deported and detained several Kenyan activists and prominent citizens who were to attend the Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu's court trial on Monday, May 19.
Owino's call comes moments after Tanzanian MP Jesca Msambatavangu claimed her phone was flooded with messages and calls on Monday, May 26, allegedly from Kenyan youths, after she criticised Kenyan activists for interfering in Tanzania's internal affairs.
According to the Tanzanian lawmaker, the harassment kicked off after unknown individuals leaked her phone number. The MP says that she was forced to temporarily switch off her device.
“I want Kenyans to hear me, I stopped chatting with them because I am still inside parliament, but we will continue after this, to all those who are abusing me,” said Msambatavangu.
The legislators on Monday, asked President William Ruto to take action against Kenyans who were disrespecting President Suluhu.
