People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has alleged that she was denied entry into Tanzania and that authorities are planning to deport her back to Kenya.
In a series of posts on her verified X account on May 18, 2025, Karua said her passport was confiscated at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam.
"I have been denied entry into Tanzania and I and two colleagues are awaiting deportation at Mwalimu Nyerere International Airport Dar es Salaam,'' Karua claimed.
According to her, she is being held alongside fellow human rights defenders and lawyers Lynn Ngugi and Gloria Kimani.
The Senior Counsel stated that upon her arrival, immigration officials took her passport and referred her to a supervisor.
She claimed to have been held at the airport for over an hour without explanation.
"I arrived at Dar es Salaam, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere International Airport at 9 a.m., and immigration referred my passport to the supervisor, who kept me waiting for an hour as she consulted her superiors," Karua posted.
"I am concerned that, as a citizen of Jumuiya, my access within the East African Community (EAC) appears inexplicably restricted."
Karua further noted that Ngugi and Kimani were also being held, claiming the common link among them is that they are all guests of the East Africa Law Society (EALS), the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).
The PLP leader, known for her outspoken criticism of authoritarianism and human rights violations in the region, had travelled to Tanzania to support detained opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
She alleged that their entry was being denied due to their interest in the politically charged case involving Lissu, who faces treason charges.
“The common thread between Gloria Kimani, a council member of LSK, and Lynn Ngugi is that we are guests of EALS. I suspect all visitors who may be interested in the politically motivated case against Tundu Lissu are being denied entry,” Karua wrote.
Karua, who is also currently representing Uganda’s opposition leader Kizza Besigye, has publicly expressed support for Lissu since his arrest. She has signalled her intention to play a legal role in his defence as well.
