Martha Karua, a prominent Kenyan lawyer and politician, was deported from Tanzania on May 18, 2025, after arriving at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam. She had traveled to attend the treason trial of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who faces charges for allegedly urging public rebellion and election disruption ahead of the upcoming October elections.
Karua, along with former Kenyan Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and other activists, was detained upon arrival and sent back to Nairobi. The Tanzanian authorities have not publicly commented on the incident, but Karua condemned the deportation, describing it as politically motivated and an attempt to suppress opposition voices.
The deportation has drawn criticism from various quarters, highlighting concerns over democratic freedoms and human rights in the region. Karua’s expulsion underscores the growing political tensions and the challenges faced by opposition figures in East Africa.
