Eldas Member of Parliament Adan Keynan has defended the recent state visit by President William Ruto to Tanzania, saying the trip was aimed at creating opportunities for Kenyan youth and strengthening economic ties between the two neighbouring countries.

Speaking in an interview with a local station on Thursday, May 7, 2026, Keynan stated that Kenyans should take pride in the president’s foreign visits, noting that such trips are crucial in attracting foreign direct investments and expanding bilateral relations.

“I want to commend what President William Ruto has done in the context of trying to create opportunities for the unemployed youth, and remember today one of the most challenging things that we are facing today is unemployment,” Keynan said.

According to Keynan, the diplomatic mission to Tanzania was focused on three primary pillars: expanding bilateralism, attracting foreign direct investment, and creating job opportunities for the unemployed.

He stressed that cross-border trade is mutually beneficial, suggesting that investing in Tanzania is good for Kenya and vice versa.

“Tanzanians are looking for opportunities, and we are also looking for opportunities. Tanzania is our neighbour; it’s an East African community member. So investing in Tanzania is good for Kenya, and investing in Kenya is good for transactions because there’s that cross-border trade,” Keynan stated.

Backlash over Tanzania visit

The visit, which included a historic address to the Tanzanian Parliament in Dar es Salaam, was framed by both governments as a significant moment in strengthening East African cooperation.

Kenyan and Tanzanian officials had indicated that discussions would focus on trade, infrastructure, regional security, and cross-border investments aimed at deepening integration within the East African Community (EAC).

However, controversy erupted even before President Ruto delivered his parliamentary address.

Earlier, before his address, faction within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), operating under the banner of Linda Mwananchi, criticised the visit, arguing that it risked legitimising what they termed a disputed political process in Tanzania under President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

In a statement released shortly after Ruto arrived in Dar es Salaam on Monday, May 4, 2026, the group accused the Kenyan leader of abandoning Kenya’s longstanding image as a regional defender of democratic governance and constitutionalism.

“By addressing the Tanzanian parliament, Ruto is attempting to place Kenya’s stamp of legitimacy on a fraudulent regime and electoral process,” the statement said.