Former Chief Justice David Maraga has condemned remarks attributed to Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan over how to deal with Gen Z protests, describing them as deeply troubling and a threat to democratic governance in East Africa.
The comments follow reports that President Suluhu, during President William Ruto’s address to the Tanzanian National Assembly in Dodoma, suggested a tougher coordinated response to youth-led protests across Kenya and Tanzania.
The remarks have since triggered debate across the region over state handling of dissent.
Maraga, in a strongly worded statement, said he had always valued institutional cooperation within the East African Community, particularly between the judiciary systems of Kenya and Tanzania.
“As Chief Justice, I cherished the brotherly bonds within our East African Jumuiya and worked closely with my colleagues in the Tanzanian judiciary in the shared pursuit of justice and the rule of law,” he said.
He said he was disturbed by the direction of the reported remarks, especially given the tone attributed to discussions between the two heads of state.
“I am therefore deeply disturbed by the remarks attributed to Her Excellency President Samia Suluhu during President Ruto's address to Tanzania's National Assembly,” Maraga said.
He further took issue with reports suggesting that the two presidents discussed coordinated action against Gen Z protesters, including the use of forceful language.
“It is regrettable that the two presidents are reported to have discussed coordinating efforts to ‘chapa mikwajo’ the Gen Z across Kenya and Tanzania. These remarks are abhorrent,” he added.
Maraga also linked the remarks to recent political violence in Tanzania, pointing to findings from a commission of inquiry into post-election unrest.
“These remarks come barely a week after President Suluhu received the report of the Commission of Inquiry into killings during and after Tanzania's 29 October 2025 general elections, in which more than 518 people lost their lives, primarily from gunshot wounds. To date, not a single person has been held accountable,” he said.
He also cited concerns over alleged abuse of activists in Tanzania, including Ugandan journalist Agather Atuhaire and Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi, saying accountability has not been pursued.
“We must also not forget that our compatriot Boniface Mwangi, and Agather Atuhaire of Uganda, were tortured on Tanzanian soil. The perpetrators remain free,” Maraga said.
The former Chief Justice called on East Africans to speak out against what he termed a growing pattern of repression in the region, warning that it risks reversing democratic gains.
“Citizens of East Africa must speak up. The axis of tyranny that Presidents Suluhu and Ruto are constructing threatens to return our region to autocracy,” he said.
He also referred to his past visit to Dar es Salaam in May 2025, where he showed solidarity with Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, saying it reinforced his belief in democratic freedoms.
“As I demonstrated through my solidarity appearance in Dar-es-Salaam on 19 May 2025, standing with opposition leader Tundu Lissu, our East African Jumuiya cannot advance while leaders suppress dissent and trample on the basic rights of our people,” he said.