Keypoints:
- Ruto offers public apology to Tanzania and Uganda
- Activist deportations sparked regional diplomatic tensions
- Kenya, Tanzania lawmakers show unity at prayer event
KENYAN President William Ruto extended a public apology to neighbouring Tanzania and Uganda on Wednesday as part of an effort to ease mounting diplomatic tensions following the deportation of activists and heated parliamentary exchanges.
The president made the remarks at Kenya’s annual National Prayer Breakfast in Nairobi, striking a conciliatory tone aimed at restoring regional goodwill.
‘To our neighbours from Tanzania, if we have wronged you in any way, forgive us. To our friends in Uganda, if there’s anything Kenyans have done that’s not right, we want to apologise,’ Ruto said. ‘To our children, if there’s been any misstep, we apologise. We want to build relationships that will make our countries great.’
Rising diplomatic tensions
The apology comes after a week of friction stemming from a series of deportations by Tanzanian authorities. On May 18, Tanzania detained and expelled former Kenyan Minister of Justice Martha Karua, who had travelled to Dar es Salaam with lawyers Gloria Kimani and Lynn Ngugi to attend the treason trial of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
The following day, former Kenyan Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and activists Hanifa Adan and Hussein Khalid were also deported. Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan journalist Agather Atuhaire were similarly removed after arriving to show support for Lissu.
Accusations of political interference
The incident sparked backlash from Kenyan civil society, while Tanzanian lawmakers accused the visitors of meddling in internal affairs. During a parliamentary session on May 26, Tanzanian MPs called on President Ruto to act against what they described as behaviour disrespectful to their country’s sovereignty.
Some legislators argued the deported activists should have faced stronger consequences. Tanzanian MP Jesca Msambatavangu reported that her phone had been flooded with messages from Kenyan youth after she criticised the activists online, further fuelling tensions.
Call for reconciliation
Despite the diplomatic strain, Wednesday’s prayer breakfast offered a rare moment of unity. Kenyan and Tanzanian lawmakers stood together in a symbolic gesture, joining in song and prayer in a show of East African solidarity.
Ruto’s public apology was widely seen as a deliberate step to de-escalate tensions and reaffirm Kenya’s commitment to regional cohesion at a time when political differences risk undermining the East African Community.
‘Diplomacy must triumph over discord,’ said a senior Kenyan government official. ‘President Ruto’s message reflects Kenya’s interest in preserving peace and partnership with our neighbours.’
As East Africa continues to grapple with political volatility and civil society pressures, the Kenyan leader’s outreach may mark the beginning of a broader regional reset—one built on dialogue, mutual respect, and renewed cooperation.
