Former Chief Justice Warns of 'Axis of Tyranny' as East African Leaders Plan Youth Protest Crackdowns

2026-05-06 region

Nairobi, 6 May 2026
Former Kenyan Chief Justice David Maraga has issued a stark warning that Presidents William Ruto and Samia Suluhu Hassan are creating an ‘axis of tyranny’ following their agreement to jointly suppress Generation Z activists across East Africa. The criticism comes after President Suluhu’s controversial remarks during Ruto’s state visit to Tanzania, where she called for coordinated action against ‘ill-mannered children’ claiming to fight for democracy. This development occurs against the backdrop of Tanzania’s deadly 2025 elections, which killed over 518 people, and Kenya’s own violent crackdowns on youth-led protests against taxation and police brutality. Legal experts express alarm over potential transnational repression, with the region becoming a hotspot for cross-border suppression of peaceful activism and democratic dissent.

Presidential Remarks Spark Constitutional Concerns

The controversy erupted on Monday, 4 May 2026, during President Ruto’s state visit to Tanzania, when President Suluhu made inflammatory remarks about Generation Z activists during a joint press briefing at State House in Dar es Salaam [2][6]. Speaking in Swahili, Suluhu declared: ‘Wakija kwangu, nachapa mikwaju, wakija kwako, chapa mikwaju’ (If they come to my side, I will whip them; if they come to yours, you should whip them) [5]. The Tanzanian president further characterised young activists as ‘ill-mannered children of ours who call themselves Gen Z… going everywhere claiming to fight for democracy, yet they cause chaos, burn things and disturb their governments’ [2]. These statements were made as the two leaders witnessed the signing of eight bilateral agreements targeting Sh130 billion in new trade deals [5].

Former Chief Justice Condemns Regional Coordination

Former Chief Justice Maraga responded with sharp criticism on 5 May 2026, describing the leaders’ proposed coordination as creating ‘an axis of tyranny that threatens to return our region to autocracy’ [3]. Maraga emphasised the gravity of the situation, stating: ‘Citizens of East Africa must speak up. The axis of tyranny that Presidents Suluhu and Ruto are constructing threatens to return our region to autocracy’ [3]. The former chief justice, who previously served as head of Kenya’s judiciary, expressed particular concern about the erosion of judicial independence and civil liberties across the region [2]. Former Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo joined the condemnation, describing President Suluhu’s call for President Ruto to join her in suppressing Generation Z activists as ‘a conspiracy against constitutional rights’ [2].

Tanzania’s Violent Electoral Legacy

The criticism gains particular weight in light of Tanzania’s recent electoral violence, with a Commission of Inquiry revealing that more than 518 people were killed during and after Tanzania’s 29 October 2025 general election [2][3]. The commission, chaired by retired Chief Justice Mohamed Chande Othman, found that the majority of deaths resulted from gunshot wounds, with others caused by trauma and related injuries [3]. Significantly, President Suluhu received this damning report approximately one week before making her controversial remarks about suppressing youth activism [2]. Maraga specifically referenced these killings, describing the presidents’ alleged coordination as ‘abhorrent’ given the recent cases of human rights abuse in Tanzania [3]. Despite the scale of the violence, no individuals have been held accountable for the deaths [2].

Cross-Border Activism Under Threat

The former chief justice also highlighted specific cases of transnational repression, citing the treatment of Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire, who were reportedly tortured and sexually assaulted by Tanzanian police between 19 and 23 May 2025 [3]. The activists had travelled to Tanzania as part of an East African delegation to observe the treason trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu [3]. Maraga questioned the inaction over their ‘inhumane treatment’, linking it to broader patterns of regional suppression [3]. A Freedom House report has accused both Kenya and Tanzania of engaging in transnational repression, noting that 54 governments globally participate in such activities, with East Africa identified as a particular hotspot [2]. The report specifically mentions the rendition of Kizza Besigye and the abduction of Maria Sarungi Tsehai in Nairobi as examples of cross-border targeting of activists [2].

Bronnen

judicial criticism youth protests