Tanzania Detains, Deports Kenyan Activists: EAC Rift Deepens?

Kenyan Activists Detained, Deported from Tanzania Amidst Election Tensions Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – The recent detention and deportation of several Kenyan activists from Tanzania has ignited a firestorm of controversy and raised concerns about the state of relations within the East African Community (EAC). On May 18th, Senior Counsel Martha Karua and former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga were blocked from entering Tanzania. They were held at Julius Nyerere International Airport for several hours before being deported back to Kenya. Just a day later, activists Boniface Mwangi and Agather Atuhaire faced a similar fate. "They were held at the airport for hours before being sent back to Kenya," reported Zainab Ismail, an NTV Kenya reporter. President Samia Suluhu cited concerns about foreign interference in Tanzania's upcoming October elections as the reason for the actions. However, the incident has prompted criticism, with some suggesting it reveals deeper cracks within the EAC. Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi confirmed the government's efforts to secure the release of the detained activists through diplomatic channels. His comments, however, also highlighted concerns about the level of discourse in Kenya. "...the level of etiquette, the level of insults that we see bandied about in Kenya, even though we have the freedom of speech, is sometimes going overboard." said Mudavadi. The events raise questions about the future of EAC integration and whether this incident signals a pattern of governments in the region working together to crack down on opposition voices. The situation remains tense, with ongoing diplomatic efforts to address the underlying issues and strengthen regional cooperation.