Kenyan President William Ruto has publicly apologized to Tanzania and Uganda in a bid to ease growing diplomatic tensions following the controversial deportation of Kenyan and Ugandan activists from Tanzanian territory.
Speaking during Kenya’s annual national prayer breakfast held in Nairobi on Wednesday, President Ruto called for reconciliation and emphasized the importance of maintaining strong regional ties.
“To our neighbors in Tanzania and Uganda, if we have wronged you in any way, we seek your forgiveness,” Ruto said. “We want to foster relationships that will elevate the greatness of our countries.”
His comments come in the wake of heightened tensions after several prominent figures were detained and deported from Tanzania earlier this month.
Among those affected was Martha Karua, a former Kenyan Justice Minister and 2022 running mate to Raila Odinga. Karua was detained at Julius Nyerere International Airport on May 18, alongside lawyers Gloria Kimani and Lynn Ngugi. They had traveled to support Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu during his treason trial.
The next day, former Kenyan Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, and activists Hanifa Adan and Hussein Khalid, also faced deportation. Other individuals targeted included Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan journalist Agather Atuhaire, all of whom had planned to attend Lissu’s trial.
The incident has sparked criticism from Kenyan civil society groups and lawmakers, who viewed the deportations as unjust and politically motivated. In response, Tanzanian legislators accused the activists of interfering in domestic affairs and demanded action from President Ruto to prevent similar incidents.
Tensions spilled onto social media, with Tanzanian MP Jesca Msambatavangu claiming she received a flood of messages from Kenyan youth after criticizing the activists.
Despite the heated exchanges, there were signs of reconciliation at Wednesday’s event, where lawmakers from both Kenya and Tanzania joined in a symbolic gesture of unity, singing together during the prayer breakfast.
The developments underscore the fragile nature of regional relations in East Africa, as leaders seek to maintain cooperation amid rising political sensitivities.