Kenya, May 27 -- Tanzanian Home Affairs Minister Innocent Bashungwa has asked police to stop Tanzanians who share negative content about President Samia Suluhu from other countries on social media.

On May 26, while talking about his ministry's budget for 2025/26, the minister urged the police to work with the Tanzanian Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) to identify and punish those who share this foreign content.

He stated that the members of Parliament know about the positive developments under President Suluhu's leadership and that the country will not tolerate any attempts to bully her online.

"It has come to our notice that some people are using social media to criticise our president. It is clear that even if the content is from outside the country, Tanzanians are sharing it here to bully her.

"I want to direct the Inspector General of Police, Camillus Wambura, to keep up the good work with the police and TCRA to deal with these issues. We will not allow Tanzanians to be part of this foreign content that tries to harm our country."

He also urged the police and other authorities to look at the situation and find out if there are any challenges that need to be discussed in Parliament.

Bashungwa's comments come amid rising tensions between Tanzania and Kenya. On the same day, Tanzanian MPs criticised Kenya for using social media to spread false information about President Suluhu.

MP Jesca Msambatavangu from Iringa Urban District said that young people in Kenya are using social media to attack their own government and are now extending that to Tanzanian authorities under the name of democracy.

"To our friends in Kenya, let us treat each other with respect. President William Ruto, we respect you a lot; please take action against this bullying," said Msambatavangu.

MP Maryam Omar Said also expressed sadness about Kenya's Martha Karua and two others being deported after arriving in Tanzania to observe a trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu, saying they should not have been treated badly.

Just over a week ago, Karua and her team were sent back to Kenya shortly after landing at Julius Nyerere International Airport. Also, former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and other activists were deported the next day.

Meanwhile, activist Boniface Mwangi managed to enter Tanzania but was captured and mistreated after going missing for three days.

The anger in Kenya over these events has increased the tension between the two countries, especially online, with many Kenyan youths openly criticising the Tanzanian president.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.