Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, has urged Kenyans to cherish the democratic freedoms they enjoy, emphasizing the need to exercise these liberties with responsibility.
“Kenya is one of the most democratic countries in the region, though some people may not recognize it,” Mudavadi said. “It’s telling that individuals from other countries can come here, stage protests, and still be protected under our laws.”
Speaking during a funeral in Malava, Kakamega County, Mudavadi highlighted Kenya’s strong constitutional protections—even for dissenting voices.
“In Kenya, people openly insult the President and face no repercussions because the constitution guarantees their freedom of expression,” he noted.
“Yet, some of these same individuals label the country as dictatorial. When they attempt the same conduct in neighbouring countries, the outcome is quite different.”
He was referring to a recent incident where Kenyan activists and lawyers were denied entry into Tanzania, reportedly due to their political activism. “Some took their behaviour across the border and didn’t make it past the airport,” he said.
Mudavadi warned that Kenyans must understand the legal limitations when abroad.
“Once you land in another country, the protections of the Kenyan constitution no longer apply. You are subject to the laws of that nation,” he cautioned.
He called on the youth and all Kenyans to be mindful of this reality when traveling or engaging in activism beyond Kenya’s borders.
