Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has sparked controversy after calling on Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan to take harsh action against Kenyan activists allegedly involved in destabilizing activities across East Africa.
Speaking during a Sunday service at the PAG Church in Kapsabet town, Cherargei accused some Kenyan activists of undermining regional peace and sovereignty.
“I want to ask President Museveni and President Samia Suluhu, if you get any busybody activist who wants to destabilize the sovereignty, peace, and tranquility of your country — finya hao warudishe nyumbani tuwamalizie,” Cherargei declared, drawing both laughter and applause from sections of the congregation.
Context and Timing
Cherargei’s comments come amid heightened tension surrounding freedom of expression and assembly across the East African region.
In recent months, human rights groups have decried what they describe as a coordinated clampdown on dissent in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, particularly targeting youth-led movements and digital activists.
In Uganda, several opposition figures and foreign nationals have been detained on accusations of working with groups linked to musician-turned-politician Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine).
Meanwhile, in Tanzania, critics have accused authorities of maintaining tight restrictions on civic space despite earlier promises of reform under President Suluhu’s administration.
Senator Cherargei, a close ally of President William Ruto, is known for his blunt and often polarizing statements.
His latest comments add to a series of remarks perceived as dismissive of civil liberties, even as Kenya faces mounting criticism over police brutality during protests earlier this year in 2024.
As the debate over human rights and state power continues, Cherargei’s comments have once again brought into sharp focus the fragile balance between national security and civil liberties in East Africa.
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