Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has sharply criticized recent events in Tanzania and accused President Samia Suluhu’s administration of straining diplomatic relations between Kenya and Tanzania.
His remarks follow a heated debate in the Tanzanian Parliament, where lawmakers spent hours discussing the recent visit by Kenyan activists—some of whom were reportedly arrested, harassed, and later deported.
Describing the parliamentary debate as “juvenile rants,” Babu said it was unworthy of a country that shares deep historical, cultural, and linguistic ties with Kenya.
“It is unacceptable that patriotic, unarmed Kenyans crossing into a neighbouring country can be arrested, held incommunicado, tortured, and deported by a nation with whom we share a national language and over 60% cultural overlap,” he said.
Babu expressed concern over what he called an “artificial conflict” being engineered by individuals who lack appreciation for the shared history of East Africa.
He urged both nations to remember their long-standing friendship and not allow it to be undermined by political differences.
“The boundaries between African countries were arbitrarily drawn by colonialists. Kenyans and Tanzanians are one people, and if the colonialists couldn’t divide us, no current leader will,” he asserted.
The outspoken legislator also condemned the Tanzanian government’s treatment of opposition figures, urging President Suluhu to stop what he described as persecution of political opponents.
“Tanzania has evolved beyond the era of single-party dictatorship. It is disappointing to see some leaders clinging to outdated, draconian tactics,” he added.
Babu concluded by calling on regional bodies including the East African Community (EAC), IGAD, and the African Union (AU) to intervene and facilitate dialogue to prevent further escalation of tensions between citizens of the two nations.
