Kenyan President William Ruto publicly apologized to Tanzania a few days after tensions between neighboring countries.
Some Kenyans on social media have been targeting Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan after their recent detention and deportation of prominent East African activists.
Angry Tanzanian MP accused Kenyans of cyberbullying, disrespectful Tanzania's sovereignty and “interference in domestic affairs.”
Speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast Wednesday, Ruto appears to extend the olive tree to Tanzania.
“For our neighbors from Tanzania, please forgive us if we aggrieved you in any way,” he said.
The president added: “If what Kenyans do is wrong, we have to apologize.”
Ruto also apologized to young Kenyans, commonly known as Gen-Zs, who have criticized his administration since the deadly anti-tax protesters last June.
The president made comments through a call from a visit to American missionary Rickey Allen Bolden, who urged leaders to reconcile.
The diplomatic bank was triggered by the deportation of activists who traveled to Tanzania to attend the trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
Among them are Kenyan Boniface Mwangi and Atuhaire from Uganda.
The pair said they were imprisoned for several days and suffered torture before Tanzanian security forces left them at the border, sparking widespread condemnation in the region and in international rights groups.
Tanzania has not commented on the torture claim, but President Samia earlier warned that she would not allow militants from neighboring countries to “intervent” and cause “disarray” in the affairs of her country.
Both Kenya and Uganda have formally protested the detention of militants, accusing Tanzanian authorities of refusing consulars despite repeated demands.
The alleged abuse of militants has sparked an online war, with social media users in Kenya and Tanzania clashing over these claims.
During a fierce debate on Monday, Tanzanian MPs expressed anger at the young Kenyan dragging President Samia.
Members of Congress said Samia has the right to defend Tanzania's national interests.
The legislators’ comments have angered some Kenyans who express their disapproval by sharing legislators’ connections and flooding their phones with information.
Tanzania's Iringa Town MP Jesca Msambatavangu said most of the news came from WhatsApp, forcing her to temporarily turn off her phone.
However, msambatavangu welcomes participation, encouraging Kenyans to “fight back ideas with their thoughts” on social media.
She asked young Kenyans to create a WhatsApp group for further engagement and promised to interact with Saturday's live conference.
She added: “Kenyans are our neighbors, our brothers, and we cannot ignore each other.”
You may also be right:
go bbcafrica.com More news about the African continent.
Follow us on Twitter @bbcafrica,on Facebook BBC Africa Or on Instagram bbcafraca
BBC Africa Podcast
