Dozens of Kenyan protesters gathered outside the Tanzanian Embassy in Nairobi on Monday, voicing strong opposition to the recent detention and deportation of Kenyan political and human rights figures, including former Justice Minister Martha Karua, who had travelled to observe the trial of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
The protest coincided with the start of Lissu’s court proceedings at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam, where he is facing charges of treason and publishing false information related to his calls for electoral reforms.
Led by civil society groups, the Nairobi protestors presented three core demands to Tanzanian authorities:
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A formal apology to Martha Karua and the people of Kenya.
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A clear explanation for the deportations.
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A guarantee that such incidents will not happen again to East African citizens travelling within the region.
"We need an apology to Mama Martha Karua and the people of Kenya," one protester stated. "We also want an explanation for the events that occurred and a firm assurance from Tanzania and the East African Community that this won’t happen again."
Protesters highlighted how Uganda previously allowed Karua to attend court proceedings involving opposition figure Kizza Besigye, contrasting it with Tanzania’s move, which they labelled as politically motivated and contrary to regional cooperation principles.
On Sunday, May 18, Karua and fellow rights defenders Gloria Kimani and Lynn Ngugi were detained for nearly six hours at Julius Nyerere International Airport before being deported without explanation. They had travelled ahead of Lissu’s trial in support of his legal team and cause.
Another group—including former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, activists Hanifa Adani and Hussein Khalid—was also stopped and later deported upon arrival in Dar es Salaam on Monday morning.
Meanwhile, vocal activist Boniface Mwangi, who managed to enter Tanzania, reported being threatened by individuals claiming to be police, demanding he leave with them, prompting fears for his safety.
In a rare move, retired Chief Justice David Maraga successfully entered the country and was present in court to observe the proceedings—a stark contrast to his predecessor Mutunga’s experience.
The incident has stirred regional concern, with civil society demanding accountability and urging the Tanzanian government to respect the right to free movement and freedom of expression within the East African Community (EAC).