President William Ruto has extended his congratulations to Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan following her victory in the recently concluded elections, which were marred by chaos and political tension.
In a statement released on Monday, President Ruto reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to maintaining strong ties with Tanzania, highlighting the nations’ shared vision for a “peaceful, prosperous, and integrated East Africa” under the East African Community (EAC) framework.
Ruto urged Tanzanians to remain calm and uphold peace amid growing unrest that followed the disputed October 29 elections. “I encourage all political actors and stakeholders to embrace dialogue and tolerance as they seek to resolve any issues at hand in order to safeguard democracy and stability,” he said.
The Tanzanian polls turned violent as opposition supporters took to the streets, alleging widespread irregularities and describing the process as “one-sided.” The situation escalated after opposition leader Tundu Lissu of CHADEMA was detained, prompting his party to boycott the vote.
According to Tanzania’s electoral commission, President Samia Suluhu secured nearly 98 percent of the votes, cementing her second term in office. However, opposition groups rejected the results, citing intimidation and lack of transparency.
Protests erupted in several cities, including Dar es Salaam, where police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators. Authorities have since imposed a curfew in the capital. Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Alfred Chalamila warned that the police would act firmly against anyone seeking to disrupt peace.
While Tanzania’s opposition claims that hundreds have been killed during the unrest, the U.N. human rights office reported at least 10 confirmed deaths. The Tanzanian government dismissed the opposition’s figures as “hugely exaggerated” and denied allegations of human rights abuses.
As the region watches closely, Ruto’s call for dialogue underscores Kenya’s broader diplomatic stance favoring stability and peaceful coexistence within the East African bloc.
