An extraordinary moment of unity and cooperation unfolded as Kenyan and Tanzanian MPs joined together in singing during the National Prayer Breakfast in Nairobi on Wednesday, May 28.
The Tanzanian MPs took to the stage to sing the famous “Bwana ni Mchungaji Wangu”, alongside their Kenyan counterparts during a praise and worship session.
The event that took place at Safari Park Hotel was significant as Kenya and Tanzania are experiencing cracks in their relations after the detention of Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi in Tanzania for over three days.
However, the situation at the prayer breakfast was different as there was no sign of bad blood between Kenya and Tanzania, if the unity displayed by the two sets of MPs was anything to go by.
The aftermath has resulted in both sides throwing jabs at each other, with Tanzanian lawmakers, ironically, being at the heart of it.
During a parliamentary session on Monday, May 26, a section of Tanzanian MPs launched a scathing attack on People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua and five other activists for allegedly meddling in their affairs.
Led by Pandani MP Maryam Omar, they questioned why Tanzania's authorities let Karua leave the country scot-free without any disciplinary action.
According to Maryam, Karua and her colleagues should have undergone a series of punishments upon their arrival in Tanzania to serve as an example for others with similar intentions.
Further, the MPs tasked President William Ruto to take action against Kenyans who are disrespecting their country's Head of State, Samia Suluhu.
Led by Iringa Urban District MP Jesca Msambatavangu, the lawmakers on Monday, May 26, expressed their displeasure over social media insults targeting Suluhu for her decision to deport six Kenyans.
While calling for swift action from Ruto, the MPs accused Kenyans, particularly the youthful population, of perpetrating violent activities, which they claimed threatened Tanzania's regional and global reputation.
However, what followed was a barrage of criticism levelled against MP Msambatavangu after her number was shared on social media. The MP lamented over Kenyans “sending their greetings” to her through endless texts and calls.
Even as Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has maintained that diplomacy played a key role in averting a potential diplomatic spat, it remains to be seen how the situation between the two countries will play out.
