Martha Karua, two Kenyan lawyers detained in Tanzania's Airport

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania 

Kenyan Senior Counsel and former Justice Minister Martha Karua has decried being denied entry into the neighbouring Tanzania alongside other human rights defenders and lawyers, Lynn Ngugi and Gloria Kimani.

Taking to social media on Sunday morning, the vocal opposition member claimed that her passport had been taken and referred to a supervisor at the Julius Nyerere International Airport, and she had been held for over an hour.

The lawyer added she was unaware why she was receiving such treatment, despite being a prominent Kenyan who is a member of the East African Community (EAC).

"I arrived at Dar es Salaam Mwalimu Julius Nyerere International airport at nine am, and immigration referred my passport to the supervisor, who has kept me waiting for an hour as she consulted her superiors. I am concerned that as a citizen of Jumuiya, my access within the East African Community (EAC) country appears inexplicably restricted," she stated.

"Apart from me, Gloria Kimani and Ngugi Lynn are also detained. The common thread that binds us is that we are all guests of the East Africa Law Society (EALS), Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Faith Odhiambo and Uganda Law Society."

The People's Liberation Party Leader, who has been vocal about the oppression of opposition leaders in the region, was visiting the East African country over the detention of its opposition leader, Tundu Lissu.

She further claimed that the three were awaiting deportation from the airport, as their entry was denied due to their interests in the case.

"The common thread between Gloria Kimani, a council member of LSK and Ngugi Lynn is that we are guests of EALS, and I guess all visitors who may be interested in the politically motivated case against Tundu Lissu," she claimed.

Karua, who is currently representing Uganda's opposition leader Kizza Besigye, has thrown her weight behind Tanzania's Tundu Lissu since his apprehension over treason charges, seeking a role in representing him as well.

In April, Lissu, the national chair of the Chadema party, the main opposition in Tanzania, was apprehended a day after holding a rally in South Tanzania calling for electoral reforms and charged with treason.

Subsequently, human rights defenders across Africa came to his defence, with a Karua-led lobby group seeking to have the charges, which she termed as politically motivated, dropped.

"As a member of the African Union (AU), the East African community and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Tanzania is bound by foundational commitments to uphold the rule of law, democracy and human dignity. The current administration's conduct flagrantly contradicts these obligations," Karua said in a later statement.

One of Tundu Lissu lawyers, Advocate Jebra Kambole, confirmed the detention and entry denial of the three lawyers he termed as International Trial Observers.

The hearing related to the case is scheduled for tomorrow, Monday, May 19, 2025, at 9 am at the Kisutu courts.

The Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) President, Boniface Mwabukusi, has condemned and called upon the Tanzania Immigration Department to refrain from tarnishing the image of nation by creating unnecessary and unfounded controversies.

"I have received a disturbing and regrettable report from the President of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Adv. Faith Odhiambo, regarding the denial of entry into Tanzania of Advocates Gloria Kimani (LSK Council Member), Martha Karua, and Lyn Ngugi." Advocate Mwabukusi said.

He added that the advocates were scheduled to attend and observe the ongoing court proceedings involving Advocate Tundu Lissu at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam.

President  Mwabukusi noted that he has immediately engaged Advocate Hekima Mwasipu to thoroughly follow up on this matter so that appropriate legal measures can be taken.