This archive report was first published on 19 July 2019.
Kenyan MP Charles Njagua, also known as Jaguar, has sparked a diplomatic row with Tanzania after making allegedly xenophobic remarks. The incident occurred in June when a video of him calling on Tanzanian and Ugandan traders to leave the country was widely shared on social media.
He was arrested and held in police custody for over a week before being released on July 6 after paying a $4,800 (£3,800) bail.
As the Starehe legislator faces charges of incitement to violence, he claims his comments were only targeting illegal traders. In an interview with the BBC Dira radio programme, he said, “No country would allow people who do not have permits to do illegal business.”
However, his comments angered some Tanzanian lawmakers who called on Kenyans to be kicked out of their country. Tanzania's government also summoned Kenya's high commissioner to explain the comments.
Despite the diplomatic row, Mr Njagua has visited Tanzania, posting a picture of himself in Dodoma, the country's capital. He also claimed to love Tanzania and have family in the country.
