Mudavadi defends use of soft diplomacy to secure release of Boniface Mwangi
He says Kenya uses diplomatic channels, often times behind the scenes, to engage with friendly countries to resolve difficult issues
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has defended Kenya’s use of soft diplomacy to resolve the recent crackdown on Kenyan lawyers and activists in Tanzania, including the arrest and detention of Boniface Mwangi.
In a statement, Mudavadi, who is also the Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary, said Kenya and Tanzania share a long-standing relationship built on mutual respect, cooperation and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, adding that while online activism can raise awareness on issues, it cannot replace the structured dialogue that preserves their bilateral ties and respect for each other’s sovereignty.
Responding to concerns and frustrations expressed by many Kenyans, Mudavadi, however, reassured them that the Government upholds and defends the rights of all Kenyans, wherever they are in this world.
“We use our diplomatic channels, often times behind the scenes, to engage with our friendly countries to resolve difficult issues. In the current situation, I used the established diplomatic channels to personally engage with my counterpart in Tanzania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as you are aware, the matter has been resolved amicably,” he said.
“The path to resolution lay not in confrontation, but in cooperation. Our engagement with Tanzania was guided by mutual respect, discretion and the shared understanding that there is a deep bond between our peoples. Diplomacy works. It may seem slow, but it yields sustainable results and maintains the relationships vital to our nation’s well-being,” Mudavadi added.
According to the PCS, no nation prospers in isolation, noting that Kenya’s development is anchored in strong economic ties and strategic partnerships with her neighbours.
He cited the recently published 2025 Economic Survey which indicated that Tanzania is the sixth top destination for Kenyan exports, which in 2024 were valued at Ksh 61 billion representing 23 per cent of exports to the EAC market. Uganda remains the main market for the country’s goods, with the value exports in 2024 standing at Ksh 126 billion, representing 43 per cent of exports to the EAC market.
“The majority of goods exported in the EAC market are manufactured products by our factories in Kenya. Indeed, in 2024 the manufacturing sector employed 369,200 Kenyans accounting for a large share of the formal sector employment. The income earned from exports generates jobs and fuels our economy,” he said.
Mudavadi added that Tanzania is also Kenya’s 9th largest source of imports, the only EAC country in the top 10. It ranks second in Africa, after South Africa.
“Beyond trade, approximately 250,000 Kenyans live, work or do business in Tanzania. These individuals and their families depend on the income earned in our neighboring country for sustenance and education back home in Kenya,” he said.
“It has always been our duty as Government to ensure that our actions do not jeopardise these livelihoods and the markets that our micro, small and medium enterprises, farmers and manufacturers have worked so hard to establish, and which contribute to the socioeconomic stability of our nation,” Mudavadi said.
“Kenya cherishes the freedom of expression enshrined in its Constitution, which is a pillar of our democracy but at times, this freedom has been stretched to its limits. While we address this challenge from within our borders, we should not assume that how we engage in Kenya can be replicated outside our borders. Respect for our neighbours’ norms and laws is imperative, recognising our ability to engage respectfully on the regional and global stage as a strength, not a weakness,” he added.
He said that though Kenya’s Constitution guarantees the rights of the individual, those rights must not overshadow the interests of the millions of other citizens.
“We have an obligation to tread carefully and deliberately when dealing with neighbours, ensuring that the needs of one do not disrupt the prosperity of others and the socio-economic relations built over decades.
“My parting shot is to urge all Kenyans to see the bigger picture, to embrace the quiet power of diplomacy, to uphold the dignity of our flag and to remember that we are part of a region, not apart from it. We cannot live in our neighbourhood alone, nor should we desire to. Kenya’s prosperity, peace and future depend on our ability to build bridges and nurture them in the national interest,” he said.
On Thursday, Mudavadi was heavily criticised after he sided with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu after she accused Kenyan activists of meddling with the country’s political affairs.
Speaking during an interview with a local television station, Mudavadi claimed Suluhu’s remarks about Kenyans trying to interfere with their affairs have some truth, as she has been speaking from her observation of Kenyans’ conduct.
He claimed that Kenyans sometimes go overboard and are extreme.
“I will not protest on Suluhu’s remarks because I think there is some truth. Let us face a few facts. The level of etiquette, insults that we see in Kenya, even though we have the freedom of speech, is sometimes going overboard to some extent. She is saying people have sometimes gone to extremes in their utterances in Kenya, which is a fact,” Mudavadi said.
Apart from Mwangi, who was driven by road to Ukunda in Kwale County on Thursday morning, People’s Liberation Party Martha Karua, Gloria Kimani, a council member of the Law Society of Kenya, and Lynn Ngugi, a human rights defender, were detained at the Julius Nyerere Airport for several hours before being deported back to Kenya on Sunday.
Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, Vocal Africa CEO Hussein Khalid and human rights defender Hanifa Adan were also held on Sunday night before being deported on Monday morning.
Ugandan lawyer and journalist Agather Atuhaire was also driven to the border town of Mutukula and abandoned at night on Thursday.
They were among 20 human rights defenders from Kenya and Uganda who had gone to Dar es Salaam to give support to their opposition leader Tundu Lissu during his treason trial on Monday.
