Tanzania “Deports” Martha Karua Over Tundu Lissu Trial

Martha Karua, Kenya’s former Justice Minister and one of East Africa’s most prominent opposition voices, was on Sunday afternoon deported from Tanzania in a move that has sent shockwaves through the region. She had landed in Dar es Salaam to attend the treason trial of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, only to be blocked at the airport, interrogated for hours, and bundled onto a flight back to Nairobi.

“Deportation complete! On board @KQSupport flight No 485 for Nairobi,” Karua tweeted at 2:58 p.m., a message that confirmed what many had feared: Tanzania had denied her, and two others: LSK Council Member Gloria Kimani and activist Lynn Ngugi, entry into the country.

Earlier, Karua, a former Azimio la Umoja presidential running mate to Raila Odinga in the 2022 election, posted a video on her X account saying, “Chilling at Mwalimu Nyerere International Airport Dar es Salaam where the three of us have been detained awaiting deportation.” “We thought that as the citizens of Jumuiya we were free but not yet Uhuru. The great Mwalimu Nyerere who welcomed all people, the oppressed of Africa, this is not what he must have envisaged,” Karua said.

The trio were in Tanzania at the invitation of the East Africa Law Society to observe Monday’s politically sensitive trial of Lissu, a key opposition figure and vocal critic of President Samia Suluhu’s government. However, what was meant to be a legal observation quickly turned into a diplomatic debacle.

“This disgraceful act is not only an affront to their personal dignity and fundamental freedoms, but also a blatant violation of the principles of the East African Community,” said Kabala Kile, deputy chair of the People’s Liberation Party, the political outfit Karua leads.

“The EAC Treaty guarantees free movement of persons, democracy, and human rights. If a respected lawyer like Karua can be treated this way, then we are sliding backwards.”

Ramah Abubakar, president of the East Africa Law Society, called on Tanzanian 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.”

Even Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, Korir Sing’oei, confirmed that “our Mission in Dar es Salaam has reached out to relevant authorities… and will be apprising further on the matter shortly.”

Maria Sarungi Tsehai, a powerful Tanzanian media personality with over 1.3 million followers on X, criticized Karua’s detention.

“Apologies,” Tsehai posted in response to Ngugi’s post about their experience. And followed up with a scathing post of her own.

Why is Tundu Lissu Being Charged?

Tundu Lissu, the CHADEMA party leader and fierce critic of President Suluhu, has long been a thorn in the side of the Tanzanian state. He survived an assassination attempt in 2017, went into exile, and returned to contest the 2020 elections, an election he lost amid widespread allegations of fraud.

Lissu is facing treason charges following his April 2025 arrest at a rally in Mwanza, where he called for electoral reforms and expanded civic freedoms. The state accuses him of inciting public unrest and attempting to undermine the government. If found guilty, he could face the death penalty.

“The charges against him are politically motivated,” Karua said days before the trip. “Silencing dissent through the courts is becoming a dangerous regional habit.”

Karua herself is currently representing Ugandan opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye and his ally Hajji Lutale in a similar political crackdown across the border in Uganda. Thus, her presence in Dar es Salaam was not just symbolic, but also strategic.

Kenyan MP Babu Owino didn’t hold back in his response, and he had a personal reason to weigh in. Earlier this year, Owino himself was denied entry into Tanzania while en route to Zanzibar for what he called “a private engagement.”

“Detaining Her Excellency Martha Karua at Julius Nyerere International Airport is demeaning, unnecessary, and a violation of rights,” he said. “President Suluhu, don’t ever come to Kenya if you can’t behave. We will not entertain such conduct unbecoming [behavior] of a leader.”

In a video posted later, Owino said, “This has nothing to do with borders or paperwork. It’s fear. A fear of scrutiny. A fear of democracy.”

Former Law Society President Nelson Havi echoed similar sentiments: “What is the point of the East African Community if Karua can be deported for practicing law? President Ruto should raise this with President Suluhu — and if not resolved, expel the Tanzanian ambassador.”

A Deeper Crisis In The Region

The deportation incident points to a broader malaise in East Africa,  a region where civil space is shrinking and opposition politics are increasingly criminalized.

Social media commentator Collins Wanderi added: “Wah! Yet Kenyans take for granted the freedoms we enjoy under the Constitution. Tanzania and Uganda are not as free. We must be careful how we engage, yes, but we must also speak up when freedoms are under attack.”

The region is at a crossroads, with elections looming in Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya within the next two years.

“East Africa is bleeding democratic values,” said Kabala Kile. “The next two years are make-or-break. We must resist this creeping authoritarianism — and that resistance begins with standing up for people like Karua, Lissu, and others who are being silenced.”

The Tanzanian government had not responded to this matter by press time. Karua’s flight touched down in Nairobi, and she was received by a group of people who were holding a printed placard reading “Welcome home Senior Counsel Martha Karua”. Karua joined them as she embraced their chants: “Never, never surrender!”