Kenyan President Dr. William Ruto on Wednesday tendered an unreserved apology to the United Republic of Tanzania and the Republic of Uganda.

Speaking during the National Prayer Breakfast at the Safari Park in Nairobi, President Ruto called for the mending of relationships between his neighbors.

“Our neighbors from Tanzania, if we have wronged you in any way, forgive us. Our friends from Uganda, if there is anything that Kenyans have done that is not right, we want to apologize,” he noted.

There was a simmering diplomatic row, especially between Kenya and Tanzania, over a recent tiff following the deportation of some Kenyan activists who had gone to the East African nation to observe Tundu Lissu’s treason trial charges. Tanzania’s action caused a revolt among a section of Kenyans, resulting in an online attack between the two neighboring nations.

Legislators alike, from both nations, have joined the bandwagon and also attacked each other on the deportation debate, raising questions on the ties between the two nations.

Ruto further extended his apology to the Kenyan youth, who have maintained a sour relationship with the ruling administration since a national uproar in 2024 over high taxation and frail leadership.

“To our children, if there is any misstep, we apologize. We want to build a relationship that will make our country great,” Ruto stated.

The Kenyan leader also urged the people to similarly change tact and welcome the spirit of mending broken relationships, maintaining that his administration is focused on unifying Kenyans and developing the nation.

“I ask us as a people to work together, to do less of finding fault and do more of building bridges that can make us a greater nation. I am confident about the future of Kenya, and I do not doubt that Kenya is truly a blessed nation. The future, no matter what happens, is going to be greater than our past,” he said

This lies against the backdrop of unresolved cases witnessed in the 2024 anti-tax protests, which saw the killing of Kenyan youth by state officers.

Ruto’s regime has also faced harsh ridicule over incompetence in office and looting public money while Kenyans pay unsavory taxes.

The incident spilled into a bitter exchange between the two East African countries as online users locked in a prolonged scrimmage over regional politics and activism.