Former Kenyan Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has appealed to Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan to reconsider her recent directive that led to a group of Kenyans being denied entry into Dar es Salaam.
In a hard-hitting speech earlier this week, President Suluhu issued stern instructions to Tanzanian authorities to block foreign activists from interfering in the country’s internal matters. Her remarks, delivered in Swahili, suggested a growing concern over what she described as a trend of external meddling in Tanzanian affairs.
“Tumeanza kuona mtiririko wa wanaharakati ndani ya region yetu hii kuwaza, kuvamia na kuingililia mambo yetu,” she said, warning security agencies not to allow foreign actors to disrupt Tanzania’s peace and sovereignty.
In response, Kalonzo called for calm and dialogue, urging President Suluhu to view Kenyans not as adversaries but as longstanding regional partners. The Wiper Party leader emphasized the deep cultural and familial ties between the two nations, citing intermarriage and shared history as key elements that bind them.
“I would like to ask President Suluhu Hassan to reconsider this whole matter. She should not view Kenyans as enemies,” Kalonzo said, adding that integration within the East African Community (EAC) must go beyond diplomatic meetings and extend to genuine respect and cooperation.
Kalonzo insisted that Kenyans have no intention of interfering in Tanzania’s internal affairs and urged both governments to resolve any disagreements through direct communication and mutual respect.
“Integration does not mean simply meeting in Arusha and then everyone going their separate ways. It is about integrating our values so that if there are issues, we work together to resolve them,” he noted.
His statement comes amid concerns that such directives could threaten the spirit of regional unity and the goals of the EAC, which include promoting political, social, and economic integration.
As tensions rise, Kalonzo’s call for diplomacy and unity highlights the delicate balance required to maintain harmony in a region striving for deeper cooperation and shared progress.
