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. He is now visiting the country.
On June 2019, a video of him calling on Tanzanian and Ugandan traders to leave Kenya was widely shared on social media, leading to his arrest.
He was held in police custody for over a week and was released on July 6, 2019, after paying a $4,800 (£3,800) bail.
Charles Njagua is facing charges of incitement to violence over his comments, which he claims were only targeting illegal traders.
“No country would allow people who do not have permits to do illegal business,” he told the BBC Dira radio programme.
The 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, Charles Njagua has expressed his love for Tanzania and has family in the country. He even posted a picture of himself in Dodoma, the capital city.
