In a display of unity amid recent diplomatic strains, Members of Parliament from Kenya and Tanzania joined hands in song during the National Prayer Breakfast at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi.
The event came in the wake of rising tensions between the neighboring countries, sparked by the controversial deportation of several activists from Tanzania, including prominent Senior Council Martha Karua and former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga.
Despite the tensions, the prayer breakfast took on a reconciliatory tone as Tanzanian lawmakers, including a former Prime Minister, participated alongside their Kenyan counterparts in a shared spiritual moment.
National Assembly Majority Whip Silvanus Osoro acknowledged the presence of the Tanzanian guests and extended a warm invitation for them to take part in a joint performance of the Swahili hymn Bwana ni Mchungaji Wangu.
"Allow me, with tremendous respect, to welcome the Tanzanian delegation to join us on this stage for this Swahili song that we are going to sing," the South Mugirango MP said.
Read More
Recently, a diplomatic row erupted between Tanzania and Kenya following the detention and deportation of Karua and other prominent Kenyan activists.
The group was denied entry into Tanzania at Julius Nyerere International Airport between May 18 and 22, as they attempted to attend the treason trial of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
Come Monday, May 26, Tanzanian parliamentarians expressed outrage during a heated session, accusing Kenyan activists of disrespecting Tanzania’s sovereignty.
MP Maryam Omar criticized the decision to deport Karua, suggesting harsher consequences were warranted, while Geita MP Joseph Musukuma declared Tanzania superior to Kenya in politics and intelligence, dismissing the activists’ actions.
"We made a mistake by sending Martha Karua back there, and this mistake should not happen again here. How can someone come from there and bring their ignorance here and then supposedly be returned safe and sound?" Omar said.
Iringa Urban MP Jesca Msambatavangu urged Kenyan President William Ruto to discipline citizens insulting Suluhu, warning that such actions could strain bilateral ties.
"To our brothers in Kenya, let us respect each other. His Excellency William Ruto, we respect you so much, do something that is not democratic, that is violence.
"We, as your neighbours, are concerned about why the country is collapsing, but your people are used to the police. We recently saw them engaging with the police in heated protests and providing water to the officers to clean their faces," Msambatavangu stated.
Kenyan MPs including Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna criticized Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi for siding with Tanzania, calling his remarks “bewildering”.
“Our Minister for Foreign Affairs taking Tanzania’s side on the deportation of Kenyans is wild. Who put these people in power?” the Senator posed.
Conversely, Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi praised Suluhu’s actions, suggesting the activists deserved harsher treatment and urging Kenyans to prioritize domestic issues.
“If it was up to me, I would have caned them. They should have received two strokes each so that they return to the country when they have respect.
“Let us not interfere with the internal affairs of other countries; Tanzania is a better country, a place like West Africa, you are not even allowed to discuss the politics of the region," he stated.
