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Kenya’s former Justice Minister and veteran opposition leader Martha Karua was denied entry and deported from Tanzania over the weekend, sparking a diplomatic and political stir across East Africa. Karua, along with former Chief Justice Dr. Willy Mutunga and other Kenyan civil society leaders, had traveled to Dar es Salaam to attend the high-profile treason trial of Tanzanian opposition figure Tundu Lissu.
The group, composed of prominent Kenyan human rights defenders, lawyers, and political activists, arrived at Julius Nyerere International Airport on Saturday, May 18. Upon arrival, Tanzanian immigration authorities detained them briefly before putting them on a return flight to Nairobi. No formal explanation was given for the deportation.
Visit Linked to Opposition Solidarity
Karua and her delegation had intended to show solidarity with Tundu Lissu, the former CHADEMA party presidential candidate, who is facing treason charges for allegedly inciting rebellion against the government. The charges stem from public remarks Lissu made earlier this year, calling for electoral reforms and denouncing what he described as state interference in the democratic process ahead of Tanzania’s October 2025 general elections.
Lissu, who survived an assassination attempt in 2017 and has long been a thorn in the side of the ruling party, was arrested in April. His arrest triggered widespread concern both locally and internationally, with human rights groups accusing the government of weaponizing the judiciary to silence dissent.
Karua Condemns Deportation
Speaking after her return to Nairobi, Martha Karua condemned the Tanzanian government’s actions, calling the deportation a violation of international norms and democratic principles.
The state cannot be used as a personal tool. You cannot deport people simply because they don’t agree with your political views,” Karua told reporters at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. “We went there peacefully, to attend a public trial in solidarity with a fellow East African leader who is being persecuted for his political beliefs.
Former Chief Justice Mutunga, who has long championed judicial independence and democratic accountability across Africa, echoed Karua’s concerns, warning that Tanzania’s actions set a dangerous precedent for regional relations and democratic freedoms.
Tanzanian Authorities Silent
Tanzanian officials have so far not released a formal statement regarding the deportations. However, local media sources suggest the group was labeled a potential security risk due to the sensitive nature of the ongoing trial and its political ramifications.
This is not the first time Tanzania’s government has come under fire for restricting political freedoms. Since assuming office in 2021, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been under both praise and scrutiny initially lauded for reversing some authoritarian policies of her predecessor, John Magufuli, but later criticized for cracking down on opposition figures and civil society actors as the country approaches a contentious election.
Treason Trial Sparks International Concern
Tundu Lissu’s trial resumed on May 19 in Dar es Salaam amid tight security. Prosecutors accuse him of attempting to destabilize the country through what they describe as inflammatory public statements. Lissu denies the charges and maintains that his calls for peaceful reform and transparent elections fall squarely within his constitutional rights.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have called on the Tanzanian government to drop the charges, citing violations of freedom of speech and political expression. They have also criticized the deportation of Karua and other regional observers as a move to insulate the trial from international scrutiny.
Broader Implications for East Africa
The deportation incident is likely to have broader diplomatic consequences, particularly for relations within the East African Community (EAC), which both Kenya and Tanzania are part of. Observers worry that such actions could hinder cross-border cooperation on democracy, governance, and civil rights.
Political analysts have warned that Tanzania’s approach may alienate key regional partners and donors at a time when democratic backsliding is under global scrutiny.
As the October elections approach, the situation in Tanzania remains tense. The government’s handling of opposition leaders, civil society, and foreign observers will be closely watched as an indicator of the country’s democratic health.
