The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Charles Kanjama has raised concerns following Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu’s remarks last Monday.
The concerns follow a series of statements made by President Suluhu that appear to endorse coordinated crackdowns on youth-led civic activism across the East African region and are outright against fundamental rights and freedoms stipulated in both countries’ constitutions.
“The recent remarks by H.E. President Samia Suluhu Hassan, suggesting coordinated regional action to suppress youth-led civic expression across East Africa, raise grave constitutional and rule of law concerns within the East African Community,” the LSK President stated.
“The Constitution of Kenya is unequivocal. It guarantees freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly under Articles 33, 36 and 37. These are not concessions from the State; they are protected rights that form the foundation of democratic governance,” he added.
Kanjama further stated that citizen activism equals disorder, arguing that “demands for accountability, transparency and respect for human rights cannot be characterised as disorder. They are an essential feature of constitutional democracy
Suluhu made the remarks on May 5 where she openly discussed with President William Ruto how their two governments could jointly manage protesters, describing the youth as “undisciplined young men” bent on disturbing peace.
In her remarks, she advised that ‘protesters’ should not be “pampered” or “appeased” and suggested that those who engage in disorderly conduct should instead face severe disciplinary action to bring them in line.
Additionally, Suluhu made remarks that if Kenyan youth cross the border to protest in Tanzania, they ought to be dealt with accordingly, and the same for Tanzanian youth when they cross into Kenya
