Kenyan politician and People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua was deported from Tanzania on Sunday after being detained at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam.
Karua, accompanied by Law Society of Kenya Council member Gloria Kimani and activist Lynn Ngugi, had traveled to Tanzania to attend a court hearing as guests of the East Africa Law Society. The trio faced delays upon arrival, with immigration officials referring Karua’s passport to a supervisor. They were held for about an hour without explanation before being informed they would be deported.
“The supervisor has now informed us that our entry to Tanzania has been denied, with no reasons provided. The common thread that binds us is that we are all guests of the East Africa Law Society. I am concerned that, as a citizen of the East African Community (EAC), my access to the country appears inexplicably restricted,” Karua said.
Although no official reason was given for the deportation, Karua suggested the move was aimed at preventing observers from attending the court appearance of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu. Lissu is expected to be arraigned today (Monday) on charges of spreading false information with intent to incite civil disobedience.
The incident marks the latest in a series of confrontations Karua has faced with neighboring governments due to her advocacy for opposition rights. She recently represented Ugandan opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye, who was abducted in Kenya during a visit, in a legal battle against the regime of President Yoweri Museveni.
Karua, a former Kenyan Justice Minister, is well-known for her vocal stance against repression across East Africa.
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