Senator Sifuna responds to Tanzanian MPs’ remarks on activists deportations

Nairobi Senator has reacted to remarks made by Tanzanian MPs on Monday over the controversial deportation of East African lawyers and human rights activists who had travelled to Dar es Salaam to attend the treason trial of opposition figure Tundu Lissu.

Those deported included PLP Kenya leader and former Justice Minister Martha Karua, former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Council member Gloria Kimani, along with activists Lynn Ngugi, Hanifa Adan, and Hussein Khalid.

Additionally, Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan journalist Agather Atuhaire were reportedly arrested, detained incommunicado, and subjected to torture over several days before being abandoned near the Tanzanian border.

On Monday, Tanzanian lawmakers rallied behind President Samia Suluhu Hassan following backlash over her remarks that rights activists were attempting to meddle in the country’s internal matters and should be firmly dealt with.

The MPs denounced what they termed "imported activism," accusing foreign campaigners of trying to stir unrest and destabilize Tanzania.

They also urged authorities to tighten security screenings for all individuals entering the country.

In a sharp response, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna vowed to match the intensity of the remarks from Tanzanian lawmakers, suggesting that Tuesday’s Senate proceedings be conducted in Swahili to ensure their counterparts fully grasp Kenya’s position.

"Kesho italazim Kiswahili tu bungeni ili wenzetu wa Tanzania watupate kwa njia ya uhakiki," Sifuna posted on X.

Translation: "Tomorrow it will be necessary to conduct Parliament sittings in Swahili so our Tanzanian counterparts can understand us better."

Karua also weighed in by reposting a video of Tanzanian MP Maryam Omar Zaid, who had controversially suggested that Karua and her colleagues should have been "dealt with once and for all" rather than simply being deported.

In her response, Karua tagged President Samia Suluhu, her ruling CCM party, and the East African Community, stating, "For your attention," as she reposted the inflammatory video.

During Monday’s parliamentary session in Dodoma, Geita MP Joseph Musukuma dismissed Kenya entirely, declaring, "We in Tanzania have nothing to learn from Kenya—absolutely nothing. We surpass them in politics, intelligence, and everything else. English is not our priority. We have no quarrel with ordinary Kenyans, only with these activists."

Singida West MP Elibariki Immanuel Kingu supported the stance, adding that some Kenyan activists seemed to forget that Tanzania is a nation governed by law.

He recalled that during Kenya’s past political unrest, it was Tanzania that supported peace efforts.

The MPs also criticized what they described as a wave of online ridicule and insults directed at President Suluhu by Kenyan social media users.

Iringa Central MP Jesca Msambatavangu passionately defended Tanzanian youth, stating, "Tanzania’s Gen Z is alert and conscious. We’ve raised them with strong values of patriotism, bravery, and resilience. They won’t align themselves with unruly outsiders who spread insults online."

Addressing international concerns over President Suluhu’s leadership, especially allegations of authoritarianism and political repression, Tanzanian lawmakers rejected the claims as baseless and misinformed.

They maintained that Tanzania’s sovereignty is non-negotiable and emphasized that the country would not allow foreign influence to masquerade as activism.