By Kenyan President William Ruto has broken his silence on the disputed election in Tanzania that returned President Samia Suluhu Hassan to power amid deadly protests, saying he will not interfere in the political affairs of the neighbouring country.
Speaking to Al Jazeera on the sidelines of the United Nations Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2) in Qatar, President Ruto said while it was not his place to judge Tanzania’s political process, democracy remains the best system of governance even if sometimes messy.
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“It’s not for me to judge Tanzania. In a democracy, for example in Kenya, you can never get 96%. Every country has its way of doing things. But I think democracy is the best governance system,” Ruto said.
He added, “It is not always tidy or easy, because there are all manner of moving parts. But we must work together to ensure that we protect democracy.”
Ruto further urged African leaders to uphold democratic principles and allow room for dissent without resorting to violence. “We must always give ourselves the opportunity to listen to alternative views without injecting violence into the equation,” he said.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Tanzania declared President Samia the winner on November 1, securing 97.66 percent of the votes after garnering 31,913,866 out of 32,678,844 cast. Her landslide victory has sparked widespread condemnation from opposition parties and regional observers who question the credibility of the poll.
Former Botswana president Ian Khama went as far as describing Samia as an “illegitimate president,” alleging the election was rigged. “I, for one, do not recognize the person who was inaugurated as the President of Tanzania,” Khama said at a forum on the African Renaissance at Lukenya University in Makueni County, Kenya.
The opposition party CHADEMA has led nationwide demonstrations contesting the results of the October 29 vote, claiming massive irregularities and intimidation. Human rights organizations report that over 1,000 people have been killed since the protests began, though Tanzanian authorities dispute the figures.
According to Reuters, at least 145 people have been charged with treason, while several others remain missing. Among those arraigned is Jennifer Jovin Bilikija, a social media influencer accused of conspiracy and treason.
The crackdown has intensified in recent days, with CHADEMA Deputy Secretary General Amani Golugwa arrested alongside several senior party officials.
Meanwhile, the Pentecostal Voice of Kenya has condemned the violence and called on Nairobi to intervene diplomatically to protect Kenyans living in Tanzania.
Among the victims of the unrest is John Okoth Ogutu, a 33-year-old Kenyan teacher, who was reportedly shot dead during the protests. Kenya’s Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo confirmed the death, saying efforts were underway to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“It is an unfortunate incident following the commotion that was there. A contact has been created in Dar es Salaam, and I want to assure the family that the case will be handled in a respectful manner,” Dr. Omollo said.
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