Caleb Amisi, Other 8 Leaders Call Out Samia Suluhu Over Karua’s Detention: "Consider An Apology"

• People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua was deported to Nairobi after being detained for hours at Dar es Salaam’s Julius Nyerere International Airport
• Karua, along with human rights defenders Gloria Kimani and Lynn Ngugi, had been invited by the East Africa Law Society to observe a court hearing involving opposition leader Tundu Lissu
• The incident has drawn criticism from Kenyan leaders and lawyers, who accuse President Samia Suluhu of violating the EAC protocols on free movement and regional cooperation

Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.

Senior counsel and People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua has been deported to Nairobi after being detained for several hours at the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam.

Karua had travelled to Tanzania alongside prominent human rights defenders Gloria Kimani and Lynn Ngugi on Sunday, May 18.

The trio had been officially invited by the East Africa Law Society to observe court proceedings involving Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who is facing treason and cybercrime charges.

Expressing her frustration, Karua condemned the move and questioned the commitment of the East African Community (EAC) to uphold the principles of free movement and regional cooperation.

The detention and subsequent deportation have sparked outrage among Kenyan leaders and members of the legal fraternity, many of whom have criticised Tanzanian president Samia Suluhu’s administration for violating EAC protocols and suppressing democratic engagement.

Which leaders have condemned Martha Karua's deportation?

1. Babu Owino

In a sharply worded statement, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino termed the incident a violation of rights and an affront to Kenya.

“President Suluhu, it is very worrying to mistreat Kenyans when they visit Tanzania. Detaining Karua was demeaning and unnecessary and amounts to a violation of her rights,” said the outspoken legislator.

2. Eugene Wamalwa

The DAP-Kenya leader also termed the incident a direct violation of East African Community (EAC) principles.

“Unacceptable! Haikubaliki! The denial of entry into Tanzania, detention, and deportation of Karua and her friends violates the foundational principles of the EAC, whose treaty guarantees the free movement of persons and services,” Wamalwa said.

3. Boni Khalwale

"President Suluhu, must respect and uphold the sanctity of the protocols of the EAC that guarantee the free movement of persons, goods and services," said the Kakamega senator.

4. Faith Odhiambo

Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo has expressed concern over the detention and deportation of Karua and other Kenyan lawyers in Tanzania, calling the incident a violation of regional freedoms.

“This is quite unfortunate. Though we should be enjoying free movement of persons within the East African region, Kenyans can be detained for merely being lawyers,” Odhiambo said.

She called on Singoei Korir, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, to urgently intervene and address the matter through diplomatic channels.

5. Willis Evans Otieno

Political analyst and Safina Party Deputy Leader Willis Otieno has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the EAC after Karua was denied entry and deported from Tanzania.

“What is the purpose of the EAC if its core promises—free movement of people, labour, services, and rights of establishment—are tossed aside like trash at the first sign of political discomfort?” Otieno questioned.

He argued that the incident goes beyond Karua, touching on the rights of all Kenyan professionals and the dignity of the nation.

“If a senior advocate and stateswoman like Karua can be treated this way for exercising her professional rights under a treaty Kenya is party to, then we must ask: Is the EAC a serious integration project or just a diplomatic charade for photo ops?” he said.

Otieno called on President William Ruto to take decisive diplomatic action, including summoning the Tanzanian High Commissioner and potentially expelling them if the response is unsatisfactory.

“Regional integration cannot be reduced to speeches and summit selfies. We must either uphold the EAC Common Market Protocol or stop pretending,” he added.

6. Caleb Amisi

Saboti MP Caleb Amisi has criticised Tanzanian authorities over the treatment of Karua, terming the incident a setback to women’s political empowerment in the region.

“Dear H.E. Suluhu, the action of the Tanzanian security organ against Karua is unbecoming and retrogressive as far as women's political empowerment is concerned,” Amisi said.

He called on Suluhu to consider issuing an apology to the women of the East African Community, noting the symbolic importance of her leadership.

“You may consider an apology to the women of EAC. You carry the hopes and aspirations of women in a position of higher authority. Kenya needs a renaissance,” he added, emphasising the need for mutual respect and progressiveness in regional relations.

7. Nelson Havi

Former LSK president Nelson Havi has questioned the relevance of the EAC following the deportation of Karua, who had travelled to Tanzania on legal duties.

“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 asked.

He urged President William Ruto to take up the matter directly with President Samia Suluhu, stressing that such actions undermine the fundamental goals of regional integration.

8. Justina Wamae

Former Roots Party deputy presidential candidate Justina Wamae criticised Suluhu saying the move contradicts the principles of democracy and regional unity.

“President Suluhu should consider the spirit and letter of the EAC Treaty on freedom of movement for all East Africans,” Wamae stated.

She argued that the decision to block the trio from entering Tanzania undermines democratic values.

“By denying Karua, Kimani, and Ngugi entry into the United Republic of Tanzania this morning, Tanzania has shown a lack of commitment to democracy. Genuine competitors do not fear their opponents,” she added.

What charges are Tundu Lissu facing?

Meanwhile, the case against Lissu has attracted both regional and international scrutiny, with concerns mounting over political repression and limited freedom of expression in the country.

Lissu’s arrest came amid growing tensions linked to his 'No Reforms, No Election' campaign ahead of the 2025 General Election.

He was arraigned in court, but the magistrate declined to take a plea on the treason charge filed against him. The charge alleged that Lissu incited rebellion during a political rally held in Dar es Salaam on April 3.

He also faces three additional counts under the Cyber Crimes Act for allegedly spreading false information in a YouTube video accusing the government of electoral manipulation, police involvement in vote-rigging, and judicial bias in favour of the ruling CCM party.

Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke