Martha Karua Detained, Denied Entry at Tanzania Airport

Kenyan senior counsel Martha Karua was denied entry into Tanzania and detained at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam on Sunday morning, sparking concerns about freedom of movement within the East African Community (EAC).

Karua documented the incident on social media platform X, reporting that immigration officials referred her passport to a supervisor who kept her waiting for over an hour while consulting higher authorities.

“I am concerned that as a citizen of @jumuiya, my access within @jumuiya country appears inexplicably restricted,” Karua posted early in the morning.

The situation escalated when officials informed Karua’s group that their entry had been denied without explanation.

Two other individuals—Gloria Kimani and Ngugi Lynn—were also detained alongside her. All three were traveling as guests of the East African Law Society.

“The common thread that binds us is that we are all guests of @ealawsociety,” Karua noted in her post, tagging regional legal organizations including the Law Society of Kenya.

The detention has drawn sharp criticism from observers across East Africa.

Several social media users expressed outrage at the treatment of a prominent legal figure, with one calling the incident “very embarrassing” and asserting that “a senior counsel of your caliber should be treated with respect.”

Some speculate the denial may be connected to a scheduled court hearing for Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, set for Monday.

Lissu, chairperson of Tanzania’s opposition party Chadema, was charged with treason in April 2025, a case that Karua’s Pan-African Progressive Leaders Solidarity Network has publicly condemned as politically motivated.

The incident raises questions about Tanzania’s adherence to EAC principles, which guarantee citizens of member states the right to travel freely across borders for visits of up to seven days without additional fees.

As Karua noted in a previous statement regarding Lissu’s arrest, “Tanzania is bound by foundational commitments to uphold the rule of law, democracy, and human dignity” through its membership in multiple regional organizations.

Tanzanian authorities have not yet issued an official statement on the matter.

The incident could potentially strain relations between Kenya and Tanzania, two key EAC members, as Tanzania approaches its general elections later this year.

This is a developing story with updates expected as the situation unfolds.