Sifuna proposes radical measures after activists narrate torture in Tanzania
Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna has proposed a radical raft of measures following the diplomatic tiff between Kenya and Tanzania over the detention and deportation of activists and lawyers from the country.
In a statement on June 3, 2025, Sifuna said that the entire leadership of Tanzania’s largest party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), should be banned from setting foot in Kenya.
Sifuna equally called for the changing of the venue for the upcoming East Africa Law Society (EALS) from Zanzibar. The conference, which brings together at least 800 legal practitioners ranging from young lawyers to senior members of the profession, is usually held on a rotational basis in the region.
Recant apology
The vocal Nairobi senator also urged President William Ruto to recant his earlier apology to Tanzania during the National Prayer Breakfast on May 28, 2025.
“First, ban the entire CCM leadership from visiting our country. Second, withdraw from the joint hosting of CAF with the dictatorships in Uganda and Tanzania. Thirdly, move the EALS annual conference from Zanzibar. Withdraw that fake apology and demand that Tanzania apologise to us instead,” Sifuna said.
During the National Prayer Breakfast, Ruto emphasised the need to maintain a cordial working relationship between Kenya and its neighbours.
He proceeded to apologise on behalf of the Kenyan citizens over the deportation of the lawyers who had been in the East African nation to attend a court case involving opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
“Our neighbours from Tanzania, if we have wronged you in any way, forgive us. Our friends from Uganda, if there’s anything that Kenyans have done that’s not right, we want to apologise. To our children, if there’s any misstep, we apologise,” Ruto noted.
Tanzania MPs voice outrage
Just two days before Ruto’s apology, Tanzanian Member of Parliament (MP) Jesca Msambatavangu slammed the Kenyan Gen Z youths, accusing them of insulting people on social media platforms.
Speaking during the 19th parliamentary session, Msambatavangu stated that Tanzania has instilled patriotism and bravery in its young people, values passed down from their forefathers.
“I saw some Kenyans claiming that Tanzanian Gen Zs are lazy and silent. I want to tell them our Gen Zs have learnt from their fathers. We’ve taught them patriotism, bravery and how to make money, not instigating people on social media,” she stated.
“Our youth will not unite with useless things because peace brings rights. Our children are calm and have hope because they were brought up in peace and righteousness,” she added.
On June 2, 2025, activist Boniface Mwangi and his Ugandan counterpart, Agather Atuhaire, narrated harrowing details of their detention and deportation at the hands of Tanzanian authorities.
The activists have since called for the officers involved in their ordeal to be held responsible for their actions.
