President William Ruto, who currently serves as the chair of the East African Community, is facing criticism over the deportation of Kenyan activists from Tanzania. According to a report published in Wednesday’s edition of People Daily, Martha Karua, the leader of the People’s Liberation Party, has accused President Ruto of being behind the controversial decision.
Karua claimed that such a move could not have been made without his approval, especially since he holds a leadership position within the East African regional bloc. Martha Karua expressed strong disappointment in how the situation was handled, pointing out that the deportation of activists is not something that happens without serious planning.
She argued that it was unlikely Tanzania acted alone. Given Ruto’s position as the chair of the East African Community, Karua believes he would have had to be aware or directly involved in the discussions that led to the decision. Her remarks have fueled a growing wave of concern about freedom of speech and political expression across East Africa. Karua went further to describe the deportation as a deliberate betrayal of democratic values.
She said that the government appears to be targeting those who speak out against it, rather than engaging with them or addressing their concerns. In her view, this act was not just about removing activists from another country, but a broader strategy to silence voices that challenge the current leadership.
This statement adds to a rising fear that the space for political dissent in the region is shrinking under Ruto’s leadership. Meanwhile, Tanzania itself has not escaped criticism. There has been a steady flow of negative reactions over how the deportation process was managed. Many observers have said it reflects badly on Tanzania’s commitment to human rights and fair treatment of individuals within its borders.
The deportation has triggered debate both locally and internationally, with some people suggesting that the move was influenced by foreign pressure, possibly from Kenya.The issue has now become a hot topic of political conversation, especially among opposition figures and civil society groups who see it as a worrying sign of what could come.
They are concerned that cross-border cooperation is being misused to target activists rather than promote peace and integration.
