Litmus test for EAC democratic ideals as Martha Karua, 2 others denied from entering Tanzania
They were to attend court in a case involving Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu
The unity the East Africa Community (EAC) and democratic rights extended to nationals drawn the EAC member states has once again been thrust to a new test after Kenya’s People’s Liberation Party who also doubles as a Senior Counsel Martha Karua was denied entry into Tanzania by the United Republic of Tanzania authorities.
Karua, who together with two of her colleagues were guests of the East Africa Law Society were detained at the Mwalimu Nyerere International Airport, awaiting deportation.
They were to attend court in a case involving Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
Karua suffered almost similar fate while seeking to represent Uganda’s opposition leader Kizza Besigye after his abduction in Nairobi and presentation at Uganda’s court martial.
She is in the company of her colleagues Gloria Kimani, Council Member of the Law Society of Kenya and Lyn Ngugi, a human rights defender.
According to Karua, no reason has been given on their detention and an immigration official at the airport referred her passport to the supervisor.
“I arrived at Daresalaam 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 consults her superiors,” Karua stated.
The said supervisor kept her waiting for an hour as she “consulted her superiors”, who later denied her entry to Tanzania.
“I am concerned that as a citizen of @jumuiya my access within @jumuiya country appears inexplicably restricted,” Karua added.
The Chadema party chairman was on April 10, 2025 charged with treason after his arrest at a public rally where he called for electoral reforms.
Karua has since led a Pan-African rights lobby group seeking the release of Lissu and the dropping of the politically motivated charges against him.
Karua, Ngugi and Kimani were set to observe a hearing related to the case against Lissu, scheduled for Monday, May 19, 2025 at the Kisutu courts.
Although the reason behind their detention upon arrival today morning has not been officially communicated, the coalition states that their visit was solely for the purpose of conducting trial observation in the ongoing case involving Advocate Tundu Lissu, Chairperson of the main opposition party, Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA).
In a rejoinder, the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC) has strongly condemned what it describes as the arbitrary arrest of the three.
The coalition is now calling for their immediate and unconditional release, stating that their presence in Tanzania is lawful.
“We urge the relevant airport and immigration authorities to act with urgency and in accordance with the law by releasing Advocate Martha Karua, Gloria Kimani, and Lyn Ngugi without delay. Their presence in Tanzania for a lawful, professional, and internationally recognised function should be respected”, THRDC urged.
THRDC, says through the Human Rights Committee in collaboration with the East African Law Society (EALS), is actively following up on the matter.
“We have instructed Advocate Hekima Mwasipu to pursue all necessary legal steps to secure the immediate and unconditional release of the detained advocates”, the coalition assured.
While expressing shock at the incident, THRDC, explained that this is not the first time Karua has participated in observing proceedings, noting that on 24th April 2025, she appeared in court for the same purpose without any interference from authorities.
“The right to observe public trials is a recognised component of a fair and transparent judicial process, as enshrined in both domestic law and international human rights instruments, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights”, the coalition emphasised.
In January this year, Maria Sarungi Tsehai, a Tanzanian activist and media editor was kidnapped in Nairobi’s Kilimani neighbourhood on a Sunday afternoon was later released in the evening.
Tsehai was abducted by three hooded and armed men at Chaka place, where she had gone to a hair salon.
The men blocked her taxi some minutes past 3 p.m. and bundled her into a waiting Toyota Noah before driving her away.
She was released later in the evening after human rights groups such as Amnesty International Kenya and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) took up the matter.
Like Lissu, Tsehai is a major critic of Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration.
