Karua, two rights activists detained, denied entry to Tanzania ahead of Tundu Lissu trial
Karua said she had been held at the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam since morning, with Tanzanian immigration officials withholding her passport and delaying her entry without explanation.
People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has revealed that she has been barred from entering Tanzania, where she is expected to represent opposition figure Tundu Lissu, who has been charged with treason, a crime for which the maximum sentence is the death penalty.
Karua lamented on X that she had been held at the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam since morning, with Tanzanian immigration officials withholding her passport and delaying her entry without explanation.
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She revealed that the immigration supervisor told them they would not be allowed to enter Tanzania, but gave no explanation for the decision.
“I arrived at Dar es Salaam Mwalimu Julius Nyerere International Airport at 9:00 am, and immigration referred my passport to the supervisor who kept me waiting for an hour as she consulted her superiors,” Karua said.
“The supervisor has now informed us that our entry to Tanzania has been denied. No reasons given. I am concerned that as a citizen of the East African Community, my access within an EAC country appears inexplicably restricted.”
The situation at Dar pic.twitter.com/wAum7n60N5
— Martha Karua SC (@MarthaKarua) May 18, 2025
The PLP leader also disclosed that she was not the only Kenyan national being held at the airport. Human Rights Defender Gloria Kimani and Lynn Ngugi, both of whom had accompanied her, were also detained under unclear circumstances.
“Apart from me, Human Rights Defender Gloria Kimani and Lynn Ngugi are also detained,” Karua said.
“The common thread that binds us is that we are all guests of East Africa Law Society (EALS), Law Society of Kenya, LSK President Faith Odhiambo, and the Uganda Law Society.”
The three are part of a legal and civil society delegation invited by the East Africa Law Society (EALS) in coordination with the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and the Uganda Law Society. Their visit comes ahead of a court session expected to deliberate on the case of former Tanzanian presidential candidate and opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
Supporters and legal colleagues have voiced concern over the trio’s detention and are calling on Tanzanian authorities to respect the principles of free movement and legal representation within the East African Community (EAC).
“Raise your voice so they can allow her in; she has come for Tundu Lissu’s case tomorrow,” a supporter urged on social media.
Tanzanian immigration authorities had not issued an official statement by the time of publication.
Intervention
East African Law Society President Ramah Abubakar urged Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan to intervene in the matter, calling for adherence to the principles of regional cooperation and free movement under the East African Community (EAC) framework.
Ramah said the regional legal body had sent representatives to assess the situation at Julius Nyerere International Airport and provide assistance to the affected individuals
“We have dispatched our representatives to assist and assess the situation. I am imploring on President Samia Suluhu to intervene and allow entry in the spirit and letter of the EAC Treaty on freedom of movement of all East Africans. We shall be issuing a full statement in this matter in due course,” he said.
LSK President Faith Odhiambo condemned the move, terming it a violation of East Africans’ right to free movement. She urged the Kenyan government to act swiftly.
“This is quite unfortunate that, though we should be enjoying free movement of persons within the East African region, Kenyans can be detained for merely being lawyers. I hope Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Singoei can urgently intervene,” she said.
The Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC) also condemned the detention of the three Kenyans, calling it arbitrary and unlawful.
“We are deeply shocked and disturbed by this incident, especially given that this is not the first time Advocate Martha Karua has participated in observing proceedings in this matter. It is worth noting that on 24th April 2025, she appeared in court for the same purpose without any interference from authorities,” the coalition said in a statement.
It noted that public trial observation is protected under both domestic and international law, citing the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
“Their presence in Tanzania for a lawful, professional and internationally recognised function should be respected.”
THRDC, in collaboration with the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS), the EALS Human Rights Committee, and Advocate Hekima Mwasipu, said they are pursuing all necessary legal avenues for their “immediate and unconditional release.”
“We urge the relevant airport and immigration authorities to act with urgency and in accordance with the law,” the coalition said.
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