Dar es Salaam / Nairobi – The diplomatic relationship between Tanzania and Kenya has deteriorated sharply in recent days, following Tanzania's decision to expel segments of the Kenyan population residing within its borders, and to deny entry to others attempting to visit the country.

The actions sparked widespread public outrage in Kenya, with many citizens taking to social media to express their frustration. Some posts, however, crossed diplomatic lines, featuring offensive and insulting images of Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, leading to further strain between the two nations.

In response, the Government of Tanzania officially called upon Nairobi to intervene and halt the spread of inflammatory and disrespectful content targeting President Samia on various social platforms.

In an attempt to defuse tensions, Kenyan President William Ruto publicly addressed the issue today, expressing his regret and issuing an apology for the online insults directed at his Tanzanian counterpart. He emphasized the importance of mutual respect between neighboring nations and urged Kenyan youth to refrain from hate speech or derogatory behavior.

The situation was further compounded by Tanzania’s recent ban on the use of Kenyan currency within its borders, as well as reported restrictions against Kenyan nationals in certain parts of the country. These measures have intensified public resentment in Kenya, with citizens voicing concern over what they perceive as discriminatory policies by the Tanzanian government.

The unfolding diplomatic rift poses a threat to regional stability and cross-border relations in East Africa, and observers are calling for calm, dialogue, and mutual respect to prevent further escalation.

By Dahir Alasow

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