Vocal Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi has said that Kenyan activists deported from Tanzania should have been jailed and "thoroughly beaten".
The
outspoken United Democratic Alliance (UDA) legislator praised Tanzanian
President Samia Suluhu for detaining and deporting at least six Kenyan
lawyers and activists who had travelled to attend opposition leader Tundu
Lissu’s court hearing.
“Next time they come, make sure they are arrested, jailed, and even caned thoroughly,” Sudi said in a video posted on his X account on May 21, 2025, addressing President Suluhu.
“If I were
you, Madam President, I would have ensured they received two strokes of the cane twice a day before being sent back to Kenya. Thank you, and continue dealing with them.”
Tanzanian authorities deported the activists, including People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua, after denying them entry on Sunday, May 18, 2025.
Karua, along with Law Society of Kenya (LSK) council member Gloria Kimani and Pan-African Progressive Leaders Solidarity Network member Lynn Ngugi, was reportedly detained at Julius Nyerere International Airport before being deported.
Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and Kenyan activists Hanifa Adan and Hussein Khalid were also detained at the same airport for over 10 hours.
Separately,
Ugandan human rights activist Agather Atuhaire and Kenyan photojournalist
Boniface Mwangi were reportedly held at the Central Police Station in Dar es
Salaam.
Sudi claimed the group was trying to “export their naughtiness” to Tanzania without understanding the country’s stricter legal environment.
“They thought that the noise they make here can apply there. They thought the freedom they enjoy in Kenya is the same there. No. If it were up to me, they would have been seriously dealt with,” he said.
“You say
you’re lawyers are going to observe a case—why not start by representing the
millions of Kenyans with pending cases in our courts for free?”
On Monday, May 19, 2025, President Suluhu issued a stern warning against external interference in Tanzania’s internal affairs.
She accused
both regional and international activists of attempting to destabilise the
country.
Karua, however, insisted that she was in Tanzania legally and in accordance with the East African Community treaty on the free movement of citizens.
Speaking at a public event, Suluhu reaffirmed her constitutional duty to safeguard Tanzania’s sovereignty, independence, and national dignity.
She
expressed concern over the rising influence of foreign voices using digital
platforms to comment on Tanzanian affairs. While acknowledging the global
nature of free expression, she stressed that Tanzania’s internal stability was
not up for debate.
“Through technology, people across the world can say what they want about us,” she said.
“They can utter anything and express their opinions. But when something is said, our security agencies must act—either to clarify, deny, or, if true, address it appropriately.”
“Let’s not
become a Shamba la Bibi [a lawless, unguarded place] where anyone can come and
say whatever they want,” she declared.
