Ban CCM Leaders from Visiting Kenya & Withdraw Apology - Edwin Sifuna to Ruto

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has issued four demands following President William Ruto's recent apology to Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu. 

In a statement on Tuesday, June 3, Sifuna demanded the government take immediate action, beginning with the restriction of key Tanzanian political figures from entering the country. 

“First, ban the entire Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) leadership from visiting our country,” he stated.

Sifuna also called for Kenya to step away from a key continental football partnership involving Tanzania.

“Second, withdraw from the joint hosting of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) with the dictatorships in Uganda and Tanzania,” he said.

In his third demand, Sifuna urged the relocation of a major regional legal conference from Tanzanian territory.

“Thirdly, move the East Africa Law Society (EALS) annual conference from Zanzibar,” he stated.

Finally, Sifuna took issue with Ruto’s recent apology to the people of Tanzania, calling for its reversal and have them apologise. 

“Withdraw that fake apology and demand that Tanzania apologize to us instead,” he said.

Ruto apologized to Tanzania on Wednesday, May 28, while speaking during the National Prayer Breakfast held at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi.

“Our neighbors from Tanzania, if we have wronged you in any way, forgive us,” he said.

Ruto also apologized to Uganda and the young people in the country for any misstep.

“Our friends from Uganda, if there is anything that Kenyans have done that is not right, we want to apologize. To our children, if there is any misstep, we apologize. We want to build relationships that will move our countries forward,” he added.

The apology came following a tiff between Kenya and Tanzania after seven activists were deported from Tanzania, where they had traveled to attend the trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu.

Speaking on the deportations, Suluhu defended the government's actions, citing concerns over foreign interference in Tanzania’s internal affairs.

"We have started seeing activists from our region invading and getting involved in our internal issues. If they have been controlled in their country, let them not come to mess ours," she said.

While the deportation of Karua and Mutunga has sparked regional debate, Samia framed the issue as a matter of national stability.

She noted that Tanzania is the only country that has not been destabilized by activists, further urging authorities to stop such attempts.

"We should not allow them; they have already destabilized their country. The only country that has not been destabilized, where people are peaceful, is here (Tanzania).

"There have been several attempts, but I want to urge the authorities not to allow people from other countries to come and destabilize this country," she added.