Kenya’s People’s Liberation Party (PLP) Leader Martha Karua is being detained in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania awaiting deportation.
Karua a senior counsel, a renowned politician and a recognised International Human rights defender is in the company of Lynn Ngugi and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Member, Gloria Kimani.
The three were detained at the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Airport in Dar es Salaam Tanzania, awaiting deportation back to Kenya.
No immediate reasons were issued that led to their six hour detenation. The incident attracted condemnation from across the globe.
The Chadema Party leader Tundu Lissu has been barred from participating in the Tanzania’s, October 28, 2025 General elections.
“We are detained at the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Airport in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. We thought we are free citizens to move around the East African Community in the spirit of unity. I doubt if Mwalimu Nyerere himself would entertain what Mama Samia Suluhu is doing to our neighbours Tanzanians if he would be alive,” stated Karua inside the detention room at the Airport.
Karua has been following up on the “political instigated” case against Tanzania’s opposition leader, Tundu Lissu.
Lissu has been in and out of police cells and prisons for opposing President Samia Suluhu policies deemed retrogressive in Tanzania’s democracy.
The case was coming up for hearing on Monday In Dar es Salaam.
However, Karua says there is no turning back in quest for justice for Tundu Lissu and the people of Tanzania.
Tanzania is expected to hold general elections in October 28, 2025.
The incident has sparked serious debate from Kenyans and specifically the political class led by Embakasi East MP, Babu Owino.
Owino accused President Suluhu of oppressing those opposing her, thus killing Tanzania’s democracy.
“President Samia Suluhu, it’s very worrying to mistreat Kenyans when they come to Tanzania. Detaining Her Excellency Martha Karua at Julius Nyerere International Airport is demeaning, unnecessary and amounts to violation of rights. Don’t ever come to Kenya if you can’t behave. We will not entertain such conduct unbecoming of a Leader,” noted Babu Owino.
