Kenyan politician and Senior Counsel Martha Karua has been denied entry into Tanzania.
Karua who is also the People’s Liberation Party leader, is currently being detained at the Mwalimu Nyerere International Airport Dar es Salaam, along with her colleagues Gloria Kimani, Council Member of the Law Society of Kenya and Lyn Ngugi, a human rights defender.
“I have been denied entry into Tanzania and I and two colleagues are awaiting deportation at Mwalimu Nyerere International Airport Dar es Salaam. The common thread that binds us is that we are all guests of the East Africa Law Society and the Law Society of Kenya,” she said on X.
In a rejoinder, the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC) has strongly condemned what it describes as the arbitrary arrest of the three.
Tundu Lissu case
Although the reason behind their detention upon arrival on Sunday 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).
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.
