Cherargei commends President Suluhu on how she handled Kenyan activists in Tanzania
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has expressed firm support for Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu following the deportation of Kenyan activists who had travelled to Tanzania in solidarity with an opposition leader, Tundu Lissu, who is facing legal proceedings.
In a statement posted on his X account on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, Cherargei lauded President Suluhu for taking what he termed a bold and rightful action against the Kenyan activists.
He argued that the activists were attempting to interfere with Tanzania’s internal affairs, which he said violates principles of international diplomacy and mutual respect between sovereign states.
“I fully support H.E. Suluhu, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, for banning Kenya’s activists for trying to interfere with the domestic affairs of her country,” Cherargei posted.
“International relations provide for mutual respect among friendly nations. The activists should not transfer bad manners to Tanzania or fund destabilisation there.” He added
The senator further criticised the Kenyan activists, accusing them of exporting what he referred to as bad manners and political disorder from Kenya to Tanzania.
According to him, their presence in Tanzania was not only inappropriate but also disrespectful to the sovereignty and legal processes of another nation.
According to the senator, it was within the right of Tanzanian authorities to deport Kenyan activists, and preventing them from interfering with Tanzanians’ internal affairs and also what the Tanzanian president was trying to do was safeguarding her country from external invasion
Kenyan activists detained in Tanzania
Cherargei’s words come a day after several Kenyan activists, including prominent figures like PLP party leader Martha Karua and former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, were detained and deported from Tanzania on Sunday, May 18, 2025, while attempting to attend the treason trial of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
The activists, including Hanifa Adan, Hussein Khalid, Gloria Kimani, and Lynn Ngugi, travelled to show solidarity with Lissu, who faces charges of inciting rebellion ahead of Tanzania’s October 2025 elections.
They were held at Julius Nyerere International Airport, some for hours without explanation, before being deported.
Activist Boniface Mwangi also reported being harassed by armed men claiming to be police at his hotel in Dar es Salaam.
Suluhu’s reaction
On her side, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan defended the deportation of Kenyan activists, describing their presence as an attempt to interfere in Tanzania’s internal affairs. She argued that the activists, who were detained at Julius Nyerere International Airport while trying to attend Tundu Lissu’s treason trial, have already destroyed their countries and want to extend the same to Tanzania, saying that Tanzania is not a haven for destruction by activists
