Neno Evangelism founder, Pastor James Ng’ang’a, has called on the Kenyan government to take strong action against youths who have been creating disrespectful AI-generated images and videos of Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Ng’ang’a. The preacher condemned the circulating content, describing it as an insult to the first female president in Africa.
Pastor Ng’ang’a expressed his dismay at how some Kenyan youths have gone rogue by producing images placing the Tanzanian president in a coffin and depicting dogs speaking as if they were Tanzanian politicians. He viewed these actions as deeply disrespectful and unbecoming, especially considering the significance of President Samia Suluhu as a trailblazer in African politics.
He urged the Kenyan government to intervene immediately by identifying and arresting those responsible for the offensive images. Specifically, Pastor Ng’ang’a appealed to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to discipline the offenders, recommending imprisonment for up to two years at Kamiti Prison. He stressed the importance of respecting leaders who he described as chosen by God and warned against degrading them through harmful and offensive online behavior.
The tensions between Kenya and Tanzania escalated following the arrest and deportation of Kenyan activists, including Boniface Mwangi and Martha Karua, who had traveled to Tanzania to attend the trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu. These activists were reportedly held incommunicado for several days, an action that angered many Kenyans who viewed it as a violation of their human rights.
In response, some Tanzanian legislators criticized Kenyans by calling them “mentally slow” and accusing them of interfering in Tanzania’s internal affairs. This sparked a heated online backlash where Kenyan citizens flooded the phones of Tanzanian MPs with messages, and some even proposed boycotting Tanzanian music as a form of retaliation.
In an effort to calm the escalating tensions, Kenyan President William Ruto publicly apologized to President Samia Suluhu during the National Prayer Breakfast. He called for forgiveness, mutual understanding, and a focus on rebuilding relations between the two countries. President Ruto emphasized the importance of regional stability and urged partners in the region to move past previous conflicts and focus on progress.
Despite this gesture, opposition parties in Kenya rejected the president’s apology, accusing him of failing to stand up for the deported activists. They criticized the government for neglecting the victims of state violence and called for the immediate repeal of laws they say suppress online freedoms. Six political parties, including the People’s Liberation Party, Jubilee, Wiper, KANU, DAPK, and the Deputy President’s party, issued a joint statement condemning the government’s stance and demanding justice for those affected.
This ongoing conflict highlights the fragile nature of diplomatic relations in the region and the challenges posed by social media in escalating national disputes. Pastor Ng’ang’a’s call for government action reflects a broader concern about respect, dignity, and the responsible use of digital platforms in political discourse.
