McLaren
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- Feb 19, 2025
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President Samia Suluhu Hassan has sent a strong warning to young activists across East Africa, asserting that her government, in coordination with Kenya, will use force to suppress "undisciplined" protests.
Speaking at the Tanzania-Kenya Business Forum 2026 on Monday, May 5, 2026, the President revealed details of a private discussion with Kenyan President William Ruto regarding the "Gen Z" movement, which has increasingly challenged regional governments.
"We were talking with President Ruto this morning... discussing how to deal with these undisciplined children of ours who call themselves by that name [Gen Z]," President Samia said. "I told Ruto, we must stand firm on these undisciplined ones. We should not distinguish between Tanzanians or Kenyans. If they come to my side, I will beat them with rods (chapwa mikwaju); if they come to your side, you beat them with rods, so that they behave."
"Let the word 'democracy' not pollute our countries, our traditions, or our customs," she warned. "Democracy has no single formula. The democracy of those far away is different from our democracy here. We have our traditions and our customs that must go along with that democracy."
Speaking at the Tanzania-Kenya Business Forum 2026 on Monday, May 5, 2026, the President revealed details of a private discussion with Kenyan President William Ruto regarding the "Gen Z" movement, which has increasingly challenged regional governments.
"We were talking with President Ruto this morning... discussing how to deal with these undisciplined children of ours who call themselves by that name [Gen Z]," President Samia said. "I told Ruto, we must stand firm on these undisciplined ones. We should not distinguish between Tanzanians or Kenyans. If they come to my side, I will beat them with rods (chapwa mikwaju); if they come to your side, you beat them with rods, so that they behave."
"Let the word 'democracy' not pollute our countries, our traditions, or our customs," she warned. "Democracy has no single formula. The democracy of those far away is different from our democracy here. We have our traditions and our customs that must go along with that democracy."