Tanzanian president Samia Suluhu issued a stern warning to Kenyan activists on Monday 19, 2025, vowing to protect her nation from external interferences as tension escalates over the deportation of Kenyan nationals who had arrived to observe a high profile treason trial against Tanzanian opposition leader Tundi Lissu.
The warning followed the detention and expulsion of a Kenyan delegation, including former Chief justice Willy Mutunga. Haki Africa Executive Director Hussein Khalid and activist Haniffa Adam, who were held at the Julius Nyerere International Airport for 12 hours before being deported to Nairobi.
Their detention coincided with the opening of Mr Lissu’s trial in Dar es Salaam, a case regional activists argue, has significant implications for democracy in East Africa.
In a televised address, President Samia criticized the influx of foreign activists, accusing them of attempting to “meddle” in Tanzanian Affairs. “We will not give a chance to any creature, whether from within or beyond our borders, to destroy our peace,” she declared.
The President’s remarks came hours after Kenyan activists condemned their detention as unlawful. Dr. Mutunga, former Judge, recounted to journalists at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport How Tanzanian immigration officials confisticated their passports and held them restricted in a room without any explanation.
“Detaining people without justification is illegal. This trend of dictatorship in East Africa is dangerous, it’s how disappearances and abductions begin,” Mutunga stated.
- It is self-defeating for Tanzania to deport Karua, Mutunga
- Ex-CJ Maraga in Dar for Lissu hearing as Kenyans detained
However, People Liberation Party Leader, Martha Karua, in a brief statement on Monday evening dismissed Samia Suluhu’s sentiments stating that she and the co-accused entered Tanzania Legally and that despite this, Suluhu’s administration went against the East African Community’s (EAC) free border access policy by denying them entry into the country.
“Samia Suluhu, we did not invade your country. We came legally as people from the East African Community(EAC) bloc, but we were barred from entry, against the region’s free border access and ejected,” she commented.
The situation grew more alarming with reports that the Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi was arrested separately. According to Khalid, Tanzanian Authorities allegedly broke into Mwangi’s hotel room, seized his phone and detained him under section 45 of Tanzania Immigration Act, a move activists suspect was aimed at tracking his communications.
“They want to intimidate anyone showing solidarity with Lissu,” said Ms. Adam, calling the arrests a ‘threat to democracy.’
Notably, former Chief Justice David Maraga managed to enter Tanzania and attend the trial, sparking confusion over the inconsistent application of immigration rules.
Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Principal secretary, Korir Sing’oei, publicly urged Tanzania to release the detained activists, signaling diplomatic friction. Meanwhile, the President Samia defended her, government’s actions stating, “I am protecting my country, this is my mandate”
The escalating tensions highlight growing concerns over civil liberties in East Africa, with activists vowing to challenge what they describe as authoritarian tactics. As regional alliances strain, the fallout from Mr. Lissu’s trial may test the limits of cross border solidarity and the East African Community’s commitment to shared democratic values.
– By Nusurah Nuhu
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