The Tanzanian government is facing growing condemnation from regional legal and civil society bodies after it detained and deported People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader and human rights activist Martha Karua Martha Karua, lawyer Gloria Kimani and activist Lynn Ngugi on Sunday, May 18, at Julius Nyerere International Airport.
The three had traveled to Tanzania as part of an international team of observers ahead of a court hearing involving Tanzanian opposition leader, CHADEMA Chair Tundu Lissu, who faces treason charges.
No official explanation was given for their detention or deportation. According to multiple legal organizations, the group was denied entry upon arrival and placed on a return flight to Nairobi after hours in detention. Their luggage was confiscated and attempts by local lawyers to intervene were reportedly blocked.
The incident has sparked outrage across East Africa, with several legal institutions accusing the Tanzanian government of violating regional and international laws.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) described the deportation as illegal, irrational and discriminatory. In a statement, LSK President Faith Odhiambo said the move was an injustice to the East African Community (EAC) Treaty, which guarantees free movement for citizens across member states.
The East Africa Law Society (EALS), which represents over 42,000 lawyers in the region, said the act goes against the principles of regional integration and the rule of law. The body plans to petition the East African Court of Justice, demanding accountability and an official apology.
“It is ironic that this incident took place at an airport named after Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, a Pan-African icon who stood for unity and justice,” the EALS statement read.
The Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU) stated that the deportation was a “startling breach” of rights under both the EAC Treaty and African human rights charters. PALU warned that such actions cast doubt on the credibility of Tanzania’s judicial system and upcoming electoral processes.
Tanzania Opposition party ACT Wazalendo also condemned the move, saying it reflects an increasingly worrying trend of suppressing human rights and international oversight.
Martha Karua had previously attended an earlier session of Tundu Lissu’s trial but recent weeks have seen growing tensions and reports of violence against those trying to attend.
Human rights groups and legal bodies regionally are now urging Tanzania to explain its actions, issue an apology and guarantee the safety and freedom of movement for all trial observers going forward.
