Tanzania fires back at Kenya over activist trolling, deportation row

Tanzanian Members of Parliament have launched a sharp attack against growing criticism from Kenyans aimed at President Samia Suluhu Hassan, following the detention and deportation of two well-known East African activists.

During a heated session debating the 2025/2026 national budget, Geita MP Joseph Musukuma accused Kenyans of overstepping and disrespecting Tanzanian sovereignty.

He insisted that the country had every right to take action that protect its national interests.

"We are far ahead of them politically and intellectually. We top in everything. Speaking good English isn’t a priority for us," Musukuma said on Monday, while dismissing social media trolling by Kenyans over the President’s actions.

His comments come days after the controversial arrest and deportation of Boniface Mwangi from Kenya and Agather Atuhaire from Uganda, who were in Tanzania on May 18 to observe opposition figure Tundu Lissu’s court hearing.

The two were allegedly tortured, detained without communication, and then forcibly removed from the country—a move that has drawn backlash across East Africa and internationally.

Felista Deogratius Njau, a Women Representative, added her voice by condemning Kenyan social media users who used artificial intelligence to generate mocking images of President Suluhu.

"How can they bully our President Samia Suluhu Hassan? I condemn this behaviour because it is not acceptable in the community. Our President must be respected, not bullied," she said.

Bunda MP Boniphace Mwita Getere also backed the President’s decision, saying her leadership is not only calm but also firm when the country is under threat.

"She is not just a calm leader. She is the Commander-in-Chief, and when our country is threatened, she takes action," Getere said.

The incident has attracted international attention. The U.S. Bureau of African Affairs, through a statement on X (formerly Twitter), expressed "deep concern" over the treatment of the two activists and demanded an "immediate and full investigation into the allegations of human rights abuses."

The statement also noted that Atuhaire had previously been recognised with the "International Women of Courage" award by the U.S. State Department.

Amnesty International also called for action, urging Tanzanian authorities to look into the "arbitrary arrest, torture, incommunicado detention, and forcible deportation" of the two activists.