Kenya Risks Legal Action From Tanzania Over Online Abuse Of Suluhu

The escalating online insults and mimicry targeting Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu by Kenyans on social media could lead to legal action from Tanzania, cautioned Dagoretti North Member of Parliament Beatrice Elachi.

Speaking on TV47, Elachi, known for her recent controversial political remarks, stated that the ridicule directed at President Suluhu could form the basis of an international lawsuit. She highlighted frameworks related to gender and electoral integrity as potential grounds for such a case.

“President Samia Suluhu can sue us [Kenya],” Elachi asserted. “When she finalises the October 28 election, she can argue using the gender card and say, ‘when I – a minority woman vying for presidency – was campaigning, Kenyans abused me.'”

Elachi further argued that the nature of the insults and cyberbullying directed at Suluhu could even amount to electoral violence, which is also prohibited under Kenyan law. “Those are electoral violence, and she can also send the necessary documents and say that as Kenyans we abused her, which also in our law we do not allow,” she added.

The MP’s strong remarks come amidst growing criticism from Kenyans on social media aimed at President Suluhu. This criticism follows a series of alleged abductions, human rights violations, and deportations of Kenyan activists in Tanzania.