Speaking during the Tanzania–Kenya Business Summit at the Julius Nyerere Conference Centre on May 4, 2026, President Samia Suluhu explained that one of the key discussions between her and President William Ruto, was how to deal with the unruly youth in the region.
“We discussed on how to deal with these unruly youths who call themselves by a certain name, claiming to represent East Africa. They go around saying they are fighting for democracy wherever they go, causing chaos here and there, burning things, and disturbing their governments,” President Samia said.
Many have associated the unnamed youths with the region’s Gen Z—young people who form the majority of the population and are often only about less than a quarter of the age of the men and women in power across the three countries.
“I told Ruto that we must stand firm on this matter. These are ill-mannered youths, and we should not distinguish between Tanzanians and Kenyans. If they come to my side, I will whip them; if they go to yours, whip them, so that they learn discipline. In doing so, we will build a community of respectful and upright individuals,” President Samia argued.
President Samia’s remarks come amid ongoing discussions in the country about the aftermath of the youth-led protests during the October 2025 election. The protests saw many young people killed, with the presidential commission of inquiry putting the death toll at 518, making it the largest of such incidents since independence, comparable only to events seen during German colonial rule.
The presidential commission cited several reasons for the protests, including demands for a new constitution and widespread incidents of abductions and disappearances in the country.
“The concept of democracy should not be allowed to tarnish our countries, our traditions, or our customs. Democracy does not have a single fixed formula; what applies elsewhere may differ from what works here,” President Samia said.
She continued: “We have our own traditions and customs that align with our understanding of democracy. That is why I told my colleague that we must stand united and resolute in protecting our nations.”
Incidents of abductions in the three countries have remained prevalent, with youth among those most affected. Several activists have also faced challenges, including those who have fled to neighboring countries or, in some cases, during travel.
For example, activists Boniface Mwangi and Agather Atuhaire from Kenya and Uganda accused Tanzanian security forces of torture and sexual violation, a claim that Tanzania said it was investigating. Tanzanian activist Maria Tsehai, who lives in Kenya, survived an abduction in 2025. Meanwhile, Kenyan activist Mwabili Mwagodi was reportedly abducted in Dar es Salaam on July 23, 2025. He was found alive four days later after being dumped in a bush in Kwale, Kenya.
President Samia and President Ruto’s discussions come amid firm criticism from the Linda Mwananchi loose coalition, which includes several Kenyan members of parliament and senators, over the planned speech by President Ruto to the Tanzanian Parliament.
“We have also not forgotten that it was on the floor of the Tanzanian Parliament, where Kenyan activists who were brutalized in Tanzania were mocked repeatedly,” the statement reads.
“It is against this backdrop that the Linda Mwananchi leadership condemns in the strongest terms possible, this planned address to the Tanzanian parliament and dissociates the Kenyan people from it entirely.”
The remarks have continued to attract responses from the Kenyan circle, with the former Chief Justice of Kenya and Presidential aspirant, David Maraga, warning of the region going back to autocracy.
