Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo has sharply criticised what she describes as a growing intolerance to dissent by regional leaders, accusing Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan of conspiring to suppress youth-led protests.

In a statement on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, Odhiambo claimed that recent remarks attributed to Suluhu, calling for joint action with Ruto to rein in Gen Z demonstrators, signal a dangerous shift away from democratic governance.

“When two heads of state meet to discuss how to whip and discipline citizens demanding accountability, we’ve crossed from democracy into dictatorship,” she said.

Odhiambo argued that framing calls for accountability and good governance as disorderly conduct undermines constitutional freedoms and erodes the rule of law. She termed such rhetoric “an insult to every freedom our constitutions guarantee.”

“Democracy is anchored on the fundamental pillars of the rule of law, human rights and accountable leadership. These aren’t negotiable,” she added.

Odhiambo warned that attempts to intimidate or violently quell protests risk delegitimising state authority and alienating citizens.

“If exercising our constitutional right to protest makes us deserving of canes and whips, then our leaders have forgotten who they serve,” she said.

She maintained that citizens would continue to defend their rights, invoking constitutional protections as the ultimate safeguard against abuse of power.

“We will not be silenced. We will not be beaten into submission. The Constitution is our shield and defender—not the whims of those who fear accountability,” she said.

Suluhu’s comments

This comes hours after Suluhu urged Ruto to consider using violent means to “discipline” Gen Zs agitating for good governance.

Speaking during a joint address at State House, Dar es Salaam on Monday, May 4, 2026, Suluhu opined that youths in the East African bloc are becoming notorious for how they call for astute governance and should be tamed.

“There is no need to be divided, to celebrate the vices that happen on either side. If they show up in Kenya, they are ours as well, and we should jointly deal with them, and the same should be done in Tanzania,” she said.

“The word democracy should not taint our countries and our cultures. It has no formula. Your democracy is not the same as our democracy.”