Reckless talk by Starehe MP Charles Njagua Kanyi alias Jaguar about people from Tanzania, Uganda, and China, accusing them of dominating Nairobi markets has sparked a diplomatic tiff between Kenya and Tanzania.
Jaguar had vowed to kick out traders from Tanzania and Uganda from Gikomba market to create a conducive environment for his constituents.
On Tuesday, Tanzania summoned Kenyan High Commissioner to Dar es Salaam Dan Kazungu to explain ‘xenophobic’ remarks made by the MP threatening to have their traders kicked out of city markets.
In a clip that went viral on social media, the MP talks about people from Tanzania, Uganda, and China, accusing them of dominating Nairobi markets.
His utterances come hot on the heels of deportation of Chinese nationals who were found selling second-hand clothes in Nairobi’s Gikomba market.
“We are not talking about six Chinese nationals. We are talking of hundreds of foreigners who work here (Kenya). I give the government 24 hours to evict these foreigners lest I, being a representative of this area, go into their shops, beat them and send them all the way to the airport,” he said.
Following the comments, Tanzania’s Speaker of Parliament Job Ndugai ordered his government to issue a statement on the safety of Tanzanians in Kenya.
Speaker Ndugai issued the order after Rufiji MP Mohammed Mchengerwa sought his guidance on the need for the Tanzania government to protect its nationals who operate businesses in Kenya.
Speaking during the evening session, Tanzania’s Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said the government took the remarks seriously and has summoned Kenya’s envoy to explain.
“We summoned the Kenyan High Commissioner to Tanzania. We also spoke to our High Commissioner in Kenya. The Kenyan diplomat said it was a personal utterance that had nothing to do with the official position of the Kenyan government. He promised that his country would summon the lawmaker to explain what he actually meant by the statement,” said Mr. Majaliwa.
In response, the Kenyan government distanced itself from Mr. Njagua’s comments and assured safety to foreigners who wish to invest in the country.
“Kenyans are [a] peace-loving people who have over the years coexisted with others of different nationalities. This is a value that we cherish as a nation and wish to uphold,” said the statement.
Already the Mp has been arrested awaiting to be taken to court for inciting Kenyans.
Majority of the Kenyans had expressed their dissatisfaction with the MP noting that inter-country cooperation is very health.