Tanzanian MPs Troll Kenyans in Parliament over Deportation Row: "Tumewashinda Akili"

• Tanzanian lawmakers mocked Kenya in Parliament days after the dramatic arrest and deportation of Kenyan activists, including Martha Karua
• MPs defended President Samia Suluhu, accusing Kenyans of insulting Tanzania’s leadership and attempting to export political chaos
• The legislators claimed that Tanzania is more politically mature than Kenya, dismissing comparisons and stating that Kenyans "have low mental capacity"

TUKO.co.ke journalist Harry Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya

Tanzania’s Parliament turned into a platform of pointed jabs on Monday, May 26, as lawmakers ridiculed Kenya.

The dramatic session came just days after the deportation of Kenyan activists and political figures including Martha Karua and former chief justice David Maraga

Leading the charge was Geita MP Joseph Musukuma, who defended the deportations and accused Kenyans of disrespecting Tanzanian leadership and meddling in domestic affairs.

“This is a free country. Every East African nation handles its own political matters. We saw what happened recently with the deportation of activists and leaders. We’ve also witnessed the insults hurled at our president by our neighbours in Kenya,” said Musukuma.

He said Tanzanian lawmakers had a duty to protect the country’s sovereignty and would not remain silent when their president was attacked.

“Our security officers did their job diligently and restored peace. I urge my fellow MPs to remember that we represent our people and must speak for them,” he added.

Musukuma dismissed Kenya as a country from which Tanzania had nothing to learn, ridiculing Kenyans for valuing English proficiency over progress.

“There is nothing to emulate from Kenya. We are far ahead of them politically and intellectually. We top in everything. Speaking good English isn’t a priority for us,” he said.

He urged security agencies to be on high alert and prevent what he described as dangerous activism from crossing the border.

“Martha Karua and Boniface Mwangi are the leaders of Kenya’s Gen Z. They’ve already ruined their country and now want to bring their behaviour here. We have no problem with ordinary Kenyans, our issue is with the activists, and we are ready to confront them,” he declared.

Iringa Town MP Jesca Msambatavangu backed Musukuma’s sentiments, saying Tanzania should not become a haven for unruly political elements.

“We’re surrounded by neighbours who view Tanzania as a peaceful haven. Our forces have helped safeguard peace across the region. We give peace,” she said.

She rejected claims that Tanzanian youth were politically unaware compared to Kenyans, insisting they had been raised with discipline, patriotism and ambition.

“Our youth were raised with values. Like father, like son. We’ve instilled patriotism, courage, and the drive to earn a living—not to insult people online,” she said.

According to her, Tanzanian youth would not be swayed by political agitation because justice and peace prevailed in the country.

Tanzanian MP says Kenyans have mental health issues

In a more controversial statement, Msambatavangu claimed many Kenyans were suffering from mental health issues, saying the aggressive political tone seen online reflected deeper societal problems.

“There’s a lot of mental illness in Kenya. I was asked why Tanzania was quiet despite all the abuse. When you see an educated, grown woman catching a flight to come and confuse us, and her face is full of despair—that’s not normal,” she said, appearing to reference Martha Karua.

She claimed Tanzanian security acted appropriately by restraining Karua, suggesting they had helped someone in psychological distress.

“What our security did was to constrain her. When someone isn’t mentally well, you help them,” she said.

Msambatavangu urged Kenyans to respect their neighbours and appealed directly to President William Ruto to step in and ease tensions.

“Your Excellency Ruto, we respect you. Please do something. That’s not democracy in Kenya, it’s chaos. And as your neighbours, we’re saddened by your country’s instability,” she said.

She concluded by criticising how Kenyan protesters treated police officers during the 2024 Gen Z demonstrations.

“I saw people handing water to police officers during protests, and the police drank it. That would never happen in Tanzania,” she said.

Why was Karua deported from Tanzania?

In a story previously covered by TUKO.co.ke, the Tanzanian government explained that senior Kenyan figures, including Karua and several activists, were deported for lacking the necessary legal permits.

They were attending the treason trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu but did not have the proper authorisation to conduct advocacy or legal activities in Tanzania.

Despite being officially invited by the Law Society of East Africa to observe the trial, the group was detained at Julius Nyerere International Airport and later removed from the country.

Source: TUKO.co.ke