Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Paul Ongila, widely known as Babu Owino, has strongly criticised recent statements made by Tanzanian MP Maryam Said, which he deems inflammatory and unjust.
Said’s comments targeted Kenyan political figure Martha Karua and other activists who recently visited Tanzania, accusing them of interference in the country’s internal affairs.
In a statement shared on his official social media channels on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, Babu Owino disclosed that Said’s remarks were inflammatory, divisive, and highly provocative, adding that such statements violate human dignity and incite unnecessary tension between the two nations.
He emphasised that the Kenyan activists did not violate any Tanzanian or international laws during their visit, noting that their purpose was to show solidarity and attend the court proceedings of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
“Kwa Bunge La Tanzania na Bi Maryam Said, kama mbunge wa Kenya na mwanasheria, nimesikitishwa sana na matamshi ya mbunge mwenzangu wa Tanzania kwa kutoa cheche za fitina na kumtakia Bi Martha Karua na wanaharakati wengine waliozuru Tanzania maovu namna hiyo,” Babu Owino condemned.
“Matamshi ya Mbunge huyu ni ya fujo, fitina na uzabizabina wa hali ya juu, na yamekiuka maadili ya kibinadamu na sheria, na pia ni uchochezi,Wanaharakati wakenya waliozuru TZ hawakuvunja sheria yeyote ya Tanzania ama kimataifa. Nia yao ilikuwa kusimama na kusikiliza kesi ya mkuu wa chama cha upinzani cha Chadema Muheshimiwa Tundu Lisu, ambaye ni Mtanzania.”
Babu on activists’ detention
Owino condemned the Tanzanian government’s actions of detaining and allegedly torturing activists, such as Boniface Mwangi and Agather Atuhaire, describing these acts as violations of human rights and international law.
The vocal MP went on to warn that Kenya would not tolerate the mistreatment of its citizens and called on the Tanzanian government to uphold human rights and respect for its neighbours.
“Serikali ya Tanzania kwa kuwafukuza baadhi ya wanaharakati na kuwashika wengine kama Boniface Mwangi na Agather Atuhaire wa Uganda, Kisha kuwatesa ni makosa na kinyume cha sheria za kimataifa na haki za kibinadamu,”he added.
“Sisi kama wakenya hatutaruhusu Rais, Bunge, na vyombo vya usalama vya Tanzania Kuteka, Kunyanyasa na kubaka wakenya. Tunaonya serikali ya Tanzania iwe na adabu na ikome kunyooshea wakenya vidole. Hatutakubali uhuru wetu kuchezewa mana hatukuupata kwa kujadiliana na mkoloni ama maraisi mabepari tuliokuwa nao, tuliupigania na kumwaga damu. Udhalimu, ubepari na unyanyasaji wa Raia wakenya ukome! Tena musidhubutu kusimanga Gen-Z wetu!“
Said statement
Speaking during a parliamentary session on Monday, May 26, 2025, Said questioned why Tanzania’s authorities let Karua leave the country scot-free without any disciplinary action.
According to Maryam, Karua and her colleagues should have undergone a series of punishments upon their arrival in Tanzania to serve as an example for others with similar intentions.
“We made a mistake by sending Martha Karua back there, and this mistake should not happen again here. How can someone come from there and bring their ignorance here and then supposedly be returned safe and sound?” questioned Maryam.
“We have left Martha Karua to continue speaking while she is in Kenya. Honourable Minister, this should not happen again. Whoever comes to us, we will finish him off right here,”
