NAIROBI, May 19 (NNN-KBC) — Kenya’s People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua is back in the country after a 6-hour detention at the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Tanzania.
In a statement on her X account, Karua said her deportation had been completed. Earlier on, Karua said she was detained alongside two attorneys at the airport upon their arrival at Sunday 9am.
She was being held alongside fellow human rights defenders and lawyers Lynn Ngugi and Gloria Kimani, all guests of the East Africa Law Society and the Law Society of Kenya.
Karua said she was concerned about the restriction on her movement within the East African Community, claiming their denial of entry was linked to their interest in the politically sensitive case of detained Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who faces treason charges.
Earlier, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei said the Kenyan mission in Dar es Salaam, was looking into the detention of the trio.
In a statement on his X account, Sing’Oei said the mission, headed by Kenya’s High Commissioner to Tanzania Isaac Njenga will appraise on the matter.
Meanwhile, the Law Society of Kenya termed the action as a profound affront to the rule of law, human rights, and the fundamental principles that govern the East African Community.
“The essence of regional corporation is anchored in shared virtues and values. Democracy, good governance, and the rule of law form the social contract upon which our regional integration as the EAC is based”, LSK President Faith Odhiambo said.
The society further asserted that the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania is in breach of its obligations and must act accordingly to rectify this animosity against Kenyan citizens.
”It is bad enough when a partner state violates these principles locally, but it is total anathema when such violations are extended to the international obligations that bind all members of the community,” she added.
The LSK affirmed its continued engagement with the Tanganyika Law Society to address the matter. — NNN-KBC
