Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has launched a stinging rebuke of President William Ruto’s recent apology to Tanzania—demanding that it be retracted and calling for swift retaliation in response to the deportation of Kenyan activists.
In a fiery statement on Tuesday, Sifuna called for four measures he believes Kenya must take to “reclaim its dignity” after seven Kenyan citizens, including opposition figures, were expelled from Tanzania last month. The group had travelled to attend the court hearing of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
“Withdraw that fake apology and demand that Tanzania apologise to us instead,” Sifuna said, accusing the President of undermining Kenya’s standing in the region.
Ruto’s Prayer Breakfast Apology
President Ruto had issued the apology during the National Prayer Breakfast on 28 May. Speaking to a regional audience at the event held at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi, Ruto extended an olive branch.
“To our neighbours from Tanzania, if we have wronged you in any way, forgive us,” he said.
He also addressed Uganda and Kenya’s youth: “To our friends from Uganda, and our young people—if there’s been any misstep, we apologise. We want to build relationships that move our countries forward.”
But for Sifuna, the apology was a step too far. He views it as capitulating to what he sees as growing intolerance by East Africa’s ruling elites.
Four Demands
The senator, who also serves as Secretary-General of the opposition ODM party, made clear his position with four specific demands:
“First, ban the entire Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) leadership from visiting our country,” Sifuna said, referring to Tanzania’s ruling party.
He also demanded Kenya pull out of a joint bid with Uganda and Tanzania to host the Confederation of African Football (CAF) tournament.
“Second, withdraw from the joint hosting of CAF with the dictatorships in Uganda and Tanzania.”
His third call was aimed at the legal fraternity:
“Thirdly, move the East Africa Law Society (EALS) annual conference from Zanzibar.”
And finally, the senator insisted the President withdraw his apology and demand one from Tanzania instead.
Tanzania Defends Deportations
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu has stood firm on the deportations. Speaking shortly after the incident, she warned against what she described as foreign interference in domestic affairs.
“We’ve seen activists from our region invading and getting involved in our internal issues,” she said. “If they’ve been controlled in their country, let them not come to mess up ours.”
She insisted Tanzania was stable because it did not allow such actors to gain influence.
“They have already destabilised their countries. The only country that has not been destabilised—where people are peaceful—is Tanzania,” Suluhu said.
Tension in the Region
The diplomatic fallout from the activist deportations has raised fresh concerns about freedom of movement and expression within the East African Community (EAC).
Observers say the region faces a delicate balancing act—protecting sovereignty without compromising democratic values.
Political analyst Dr. Faith Karanja told The Times:
“This isn’t just about deportations. It’s about a wider crackdown on political activism in the region. Kenya’s government has to walk a fine line between diplomacy and defending its citizens.”
As the row simmers, the spotlight now shifts to how President Ruto will respond to pressure from within. Will he double down on diplomacy or take a firmer stance as Sifuna demands?
Either way, East Africa is watching.
