People's Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has revealed being detained in Tanzania.
Karua revealed she arrived at the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere International Airport on Sunday morning, May 18.
She said her passport was seized, and kept waiting alongside her colleagues, Gloria Kimani and Lynn Ngugi.
"The immigration referred my passport to the supervisor, who has kept me waiting for an hour as she consults her superiors. I am concerned that as a citizen of the East African Community (EAC)," she said.
Karua said the authorities did not explain the reason behind the detention and the seizure of the travel documents.
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"The supervisor has now informed us that our entry to Tanzania has been denied; no reasons given," she said.
Karua was in Tanzania to attend the legal proceedings of opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
"Their visit to Tanzania was solely for the purpose of conducting trial observation in the ongoing case involving Hon. Advocate Tundu Lissu, Chairperson of the main opposition party, Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA). We are deeply shocked and disturbed by this incident, especially given that this is not the first time Advocate Martha Karua has participated in observing proceedings in this matter. It is worth noting that on 24th April 2025, she appeared in court for the same purpose without any interference from authorities," the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC) revealed.
THRDC, while condemning the events, called on the authorities to release the documents and allow Karua and her team into the country.
"We urge the relevant airport and immigration authorities to act with urgency and in accordance with the law by releasing Advocate Martha Karua, Gloria Kimani, and Lyn Ngugi without delay. Their presence in Tanzania for a lawful, professional, and internationally recognised function should be respected," the organisation said.
This would not be the first case in which Karua is facing obstacles in a country in East Africa.
In January this year, she featured on the defence team of Ugandan veteran opposition leader Kizza Besigye.
Besigye was abducted from Nairobi and deported to Kampala in November last year.
He was detained and later charged with treason-related counts.
Karua, who had initially been barred from representing Besigye in the court martial, fought to have her licence approved.
She was later allowed to appear in court to defend Besigye.
News Update: Martha Karua and two of her colleagues have been deported from Tanzania by the authorities.
