Soy Constituency Member of Parliament (MP) David Kiplagat has highlighted that neighbouring countries, including Uganda and Tanzania, are cautious of Kenyans due to their active political engagement and social media activism.
Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, Kiplagat emphasised that while this activism is driven by a desire to defend democratic space and support friends, it can sometimes create misunderstandings abroad.
Call for caution
Kiplagat noted that while Kenyans are vocal and committed to ensuring democratic rights for themselves and their friends, this enthusiasm can be misinterpreted abroad.
“Other countries feel that Kenyans’ excitement and active participation sometimes overwhelm local sentiment,” he said. Much of what happens, he added, can be handled through diplomacy rather than public confrontation.
The sentiments Kiplagat described come in the wake of several incidents where Kenyans were abducted, detained, or denied entry abroad, including the recent cases of activists Bob Njangi and Nicholas Oyoo, who Uganda held for 38 days before being released, and Kenyan People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua, who was detained and deported in Tanzania.
He noted that some Kenyans living or doing business in these countries are perceived unfairly. “To a huge extent, they are seen as criminals. In fact, the government in Kenya appears to agree with the accusations from the other side that whoever went there was up to no good,” Kiplagat said, referencing public perceptions that can distort regional relations.
Govnt diplomacy
Kiplagat stressed that many of these issues are being addressed quietly through diplomatic channels. He explained that exchanges between governments, often referred to as “cables” in international diplomacy, are conducted behind the scenes to protect Kenyans abroad.
“If you are looking at ordinary people who are not in that space, you might think that the government is complacent. But what I want to assure you is that the government is doing a lot to make sure that the safety of Kenyans doing business in the two countries is safeguarded,” Kiplagat said.
He also clarified that statements by politicians, such as Kenya’s Senator for Nandi, do not reflect official government positions and are personal views.
Highlighting the economic relationship between Kenya and Uganda, Kiplagat said that nearly 48% of Kenya’s exports go to Uganda.
He emphasised that these strong trade ties make it crucial to maintain stable diplomatic and economic relations despite occasional misunderstandings.
