Former Chief Justice David Maraga appears at Tundu Lissu’s treason trial in Dar es Salaam
Lissu is facing treason charges stemming from an alleged speech in which he is accused of calling on Tanzanians to rebel and interfere with the upcoming October 2025 general election.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga arrived in Tanzania on Monday morning to attend the trial of opposition leader and the chairperson of CHADEMA, Tundu Lissu, while other Kenyan politicians and activists were denied entry to observe the proceedings.
Maraga confirmed his arrival in Tanzania on Monday morning through a post on X, stating, “Safely arrived in Dar-es-Salaam. Headed to court for the Tundu Lissu Court Case.”
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His attendance sharply contrasted with the treatment of other high-profile figures from Kenya, including former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, human rights defenders Hanifa Adan and Hussein Khalid, who were detained at Julius Nyerere International Airport.
Activist Boniface Mwangi also claimed via X that his life was in danger while staying at a hotel in Tanzania.
On Sunday, People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, Law Society of Kenya Council member Gloria Kimani, and Pan-African Progressive Leaders Solidarity Network member Lynn Ngugi were detained at the same airport and deported back to Kenya. The group had travelled to Dar es Salaam to observe Monday’s hearing.
Inside the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court, Lissu was arraigned for the first time in person since the commencement of the treason and incitement case.
Previous sessions had been conducted virtually, including one on May 6 when the court ruled that the trial would continue in person and with limited public access.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga (right) arrives in Dar es Salaam on May 19, 2025 to attend the trial of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu. (Photo: X/David Maraga)
Lissu was brought to court under tight security, with some police officers covering their faces.
Dressed in a white T-shirt bearing the message “No Reforms No Election” in sky-blue letters, he addressed supporters outside, saying: “We are now okay! This is a public trial; let’s meet in public. They wanted it, let them get it.”
The courtroom saw the presence of several CHADEMA leaders and members of the diplomatic corps.
Defence lawyers opened the session by requesting that Lissu be allowed to stand in the dock alone, affirming his constitutional right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The court later granted this request but maintained its earlier decision to keep the proceedings closed to the public and media, despite pushback from the defence.
In its directives, the court ordered the ongoing investigations to be completed without delay and instructed the police to evaluate any potential security risks ahead of the next hearing to ensure Lissu’s personal freedoms are upheld.
Strict courtroom conduct was also enforced, with a warning that clapping, booing, cheering or any form of disruption would be treated as contempt of court.
The trial was adjourned and is set to resume on June 2, 2025.
Lissu is facing treason charges stemming from an alleged speech in which he is accused of calling on Tanzanians to rebel and interfere with the upcoming October 2025 general election.
CHADEMA, the party he leads, was disqualified from participating in the election in April after the National Electoral Commission said it failed to sign a mandatory code of conduct by the April 12 deadline.
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