Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi has weighed in on the detention of Martha Karua, People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader, in Tanzania.
Havi questioned the relevance of the East African Community (EAC) if Kenyan lawyers can be barred from entering member states.
“What is the purpose of the East African Community if Martha Karua is denied entry into Tanzania to practice law, and is instead deported?” Havi posed.
He called on President William Ruto to directly engage Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu on the matter.
“This is a matter that President William Ruto ought to take up with President Samia Suluhu,” he said.
Havi added that if the issue is not resolved, Kenya should consider expelling Tanzania’s envoy.
“If unresolved, expel the Tanzanian ambassador,” he said.
Earlier today, Karua, said in a series of posts on her verified X account that she had been denied entry into Tanzania and that authorities were planning to deport her back to Kenya.
"I have been denied entry into Tanzania, and I, along with two colleagues, I'm awaiting deportation at Mwalimu Nyerere International Airport, Dar es Salaam," Karua wrote.
She said her passport was confiscated by immigration officials upon arrival and handed to a supervisor. She added that she had been held at the airport for over an hour without any 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," she posted.
"I am concerned that, as a citizen of Jumuiya, my access within the East African Community (EAC) appears inexplicably restricted."
According to Karua, she is being held alongside human rights defenders and lawyers Lynn Ngugi and Gloria Kimani. She said all three were in Tanzania as guests of the East Africa Law Society (EALS) and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).
Karua, known for her vocal stance on governance and human rights in the region, had travelled to Tanzania to show solidarity with detained opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who is facing treason charges.
She alleged that their denial of entry may be linked to their interest in the politically sensitive case.
“The common thread between Gloria Kimani, a council member of the 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,” she claimed.
