At a time when political tensions are flaring between Kenya and Tanzania, a moment of unity broke through — and it came in the form of a song.
On Wednesday morning, Tanzanian lawmakers joined their Kenyan counterparts in singing Bwana ni Mchungaji Wangu (“The Lord is My Shepherd”) at the annual National Prayer Breakfast, held at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi.
Their voices rose together, cutting through a week that has been anything but harmonious.
“We have the Ugandan delegation, but we also want to invite our Tanzanian counterparts to join us in this special song,” announced Kenya’s Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro. “They were with us yesterday for dinner with the former Tanzanian Prime Minister.”
Though Osoro didn’t name the former premier or MPs present, the gesture was clearly an olive branch — coming just days after the two countries locked horns over the treatment of Kenyan and Ugandan activists in Tanzania.
Arrests Spark Outrage
Earlier this month, Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan journalist Agather Atuhaire were detained in Dar es Salaam. Both were reportedly held incommunicado, interrogated without access to legal counsel, and later deported. Human rights groups have condemned the move, saying it violated regional protocols and international law.
In Kenya, the incident drew sharp reactions from civil society, lawmakers, and members of the public.
“What happened to Boniface Mwangi is unacceptable,” said a Kenyan MP who asked not to be named due to the diplomatic sensitivity. “We must speak out when regional cooperation is abused.”
Tanzanian officials, however, have doubled down. During a heated session in the Tanzanian Parliament earlier this week, MPs accused Kenyan activists of meddling in their country’s affairs.
“If this had happened here, those activists would be in prison,” one MP was heard saying during the debate, according to local media.
Geita MP Joseph Musukuma took it a step further. “We are far ahead of Kenya politically and intellectually,” he said, brushing off the criticism pouring in from across the border. “Speaking good English isn’t our priority.”
The remarks set off a storm online. Twitter (now known as X) lit up with heated exchanges between citizens of both nations. Some Tanzanian MPs even switched off their phones after being overwhelmed by WhatsApp messages from Kenyans, according to parliamentary aides.
Prayer, Not Politics
Against this backdrop, Wednesday’s prayer breakfast offered a pause. The event, known for promoting unity and reflection among East African lawmakers, became a moment for diplomacy — albeit through worship, not speeches.
“It’s easy to forget that we are more alike than different,” said a Kenyan attendee. “We share borders, languages, and even our songs.”
Still, tensions remain. The Kenyan government has yet to make an official statement on the activists’ deportation, and Tanzanian officials have made it clear they won’t be apologising.
Experts say the fallout could test the strength of East Africa’s diplomatic ties, especially under regional bodies like the East African Community (EAC).
“It’s a tricky moment,” said Dr. Alice Muteshi, a regional analyst based in Nairobi. “Public sentiment in both countries is strong, and how leaders respond now could shape relations for years to come.”
For a brief morning, though, the focus was not on divisions — but on a shared song, and the fragile hope that things might yet be mended.
