Tanzanian Member of Parliament Zahor Mohamed has officially accepted President William Ruto’s apology on behalf of Tanzania’s Parliament, stressing the need for stronger diplomatic ties between Kenya and Tanzania. Speaking to fellow MPs in Dodoma, Zahor urged both nations to put their differences aside and focus on cooperation and unity.
President Ruto extended his apology during the National Prayer Breakfast at Safari Park in Nairobi, where he addressed recent tensions between Kenya and its East African neighbors, including Uganda and Tanzania.
“Our neighbours from Tanzania, if we have wronged you in any way, forgive us. Our friends from Uganda, if there is anything that Kenyans have done that is not right, we want to apologise,” said Ruto.
Zahor’s heartfelt response came soon after. He told Parliament:
“Naomba nichukue nafasi hii kupongeza kwa haraka. Nimesoma ya kwamba rafiki yetu, kaka yetu Rais Ruto akituomba radhi sisi nasi tunapokea. Hii ni kwa sababu hakuna binadamu kamilifu. Inawezekana sisi tunalo tatizo na inabidi tusameheane ili maisha isonge kwa sababu binadamu lazima tukoseane.”
He further emphasized the value of friendship between nations, even when disagreements arise.
“Ningeomba sana ambapo pale sisi kama bunge tumejikwaa lakini kweli kwamba tunahitajiana kama marafiki, mataifa yaliyo pamoja na hatuwezi kufanya kazi bila changamoto.”
This diplomatic exchange follows a recent controversy involving the deportation of Kenyan activists from Tanzania, who had traveled to attend a court hearing for opposition leader Tundu Lissu. The event sparked online debates and a regional political storm between citizens of the two countries.
The tension threatened to strain the long-standing relations between Kenya and Tanzania, two countries that have worked closely in the East African Community (EAC) and on various trade, infrastructure, and security partnerships.
By Yockshard Enyendi