Kenyan & Tanzanian MPs Showcase Unity At National Prayer Breakfast Amidst Diplomatic Tensions

An extraordinary display of unity unfolded today, Wednesday, May 28, in Nairobi as Kenyan and Tanzanian Members of Parliament joined voices in song during the National Prayer Breakfast. This moment of cooperation at the Safari Park Hotel was particularly notable given the recent strain in relations between the two East African nations, following the detention of Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi in Tanzania for over three days.

During a praise and worship session, Tanzanian MPs took to the stage alongside their Kenyan counterparts to sing the renowned Swahili hymn “Bwana ni Mchungaji Wangu” (The Lord is My Shepherd). The camaraderie displayed suggested no lingering animosity, despite recent public jabs exchanged between officials from both sides.

Recent Diplomatic Friction

The display of unity at the prayer breakfast stands in contrast to recent heated exchanges. Just this past Monday, May 26, a section of Tanzanian MPs launched a scathing attack on People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua and five other activists. Led by Pandani MP Maryam Omar, they questioned why Tanzanian authorities allowed Karua to leave the country without any disciplinary action, suggesting she and her colleagues should have faced punishment for allegedly “meddling in their affairs.”

Furthermore, other Tanzanian lawmakers, led by Iringa Urban District MP Jesca Msambatavangu, tasked President William Ruto to take action against Kenyans disrespecting their Head of State, Samia Suluhu. They expressed displeasure over social media insults targeting Suluhu for her decision to deport six Kenyans and accused Kenyan youth of perpetrating “violent activities” that threatened Tanzania’s regional and global reputation.

However, Msambatavangu’s stance quickly drew backlash, with her phone number reportedly shared on social media, leading to a barrage of texts and calls from Kenyans.

While Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has maintained that diplomacy was key in averting a potential diplomatic spat, the long-term implications of these recent events on Kenya-Tanzania relations remain to be seen