Kenya's former Chief Justice arrives in Tanzania for Tundu Lissu’s case

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania

Former Kenyan Chief Justice, David Maraga has arrived in Dar es Salaam for the case of detained Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu.

Maraga arrived in Dar es Salaam on Monday, May 19, 2025 at 10 am. “Safely arrived in Dar-es-Salaam. Headed to court for the Tundu Lissu court case,” he said through his X account.

Maraga is the third Kenyan delegation to enter the country in support of Tundu Lissu. The first team was led by High Court Advocate and People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua.

Karua, alongside two of her colleagues, Lynn Ngugi and Gloria Kimani, arrived at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam at 9 am on Sunday but were detained before being deported back to Nairobi.

The three were all guests of the East Africa Law Society (EALS) and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).

“I arrived at Dar es Salaam, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere International Airport at 9 am, and immigration referred my passport to the supervisor, who kept me waiting for an hour as she consulted her superiors,” Karua said.

Karua said their denial of entry was linked to their interest in the politically sensitive case of detained Lissu, who faces treason charges.

“The common thread between Gloria Kimani, a council member of LSK, and Lynn Ngugi is that we are guests of EALS. I suspect all visitors who may be interested in the politically motivated case against Tundu Lissu are being denied entry,” she stated.

Former Kenyan Chief Justice, David Maraga (R) is greeting Tanzania's Chief opposition leader, Tundu Lissu in Kisutu courtroom

The second team was led by former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, who was accompanied by human rights defenders Hanifa Adan and Hussein Khalid.

They were detained at the airport on Monday morning, awaiting deportation. They had intended to attend a court hearing at Kisutu Magistrates' Court on Monday.

Khalid tweeted that the trip was "in solidarity with Tanzanian lawyers and human rights defenders."

“We, Willy Mutunga, Hanifa Adan, and I have been detained at Julius Nyerere Airport, Dar es Salaam, as we came in for the observance of Tundu Lissu’s case. The trip was in solidarity with Tanzanian lawyers and human rights defenders. They have not given reasons for the detention," he posted on X.

Lissu, who is the chairman of CHADEMA, is facing treason and incitement charges.