NAIROBI, KENYA — Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Paul Ongili, known as Babu Owino, has publicly condemned the reported detention and subsequent deportation of People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua and two other Kenyan human rights activists at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
On Sunday, May 18, 2025, Karua revealed that upon her arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport, Tanzanian immigration officials refused to grant her entry, along with lawyer and human rights activist Gloria Kimani and Lynn Ngugi.
In a statement released across his official social media platforms, Owino criticized the Tanzanian authorities’ treatment of Karua and her colleagues, labeling it demeaning, unnecessary, and a violation of fundamental rights.
He emphasized the importance of mutual respect and adherence to regional agreements, cautioning that such behavior should not be tolerated.
“@SuluhuSamia It is very worrying to mistreat Kenyans when they come to Tanzania. Detaining @MarthaKarua at Julius Nyerere International Airport is demeaning, unnecessary and amounts to a violation of rights,” Babu Owino stated.
Owino’s remarks follow Karua’s disclosure that they were detained at the airport, awaiting deportation after being denied entry.
“I arrived at Dar es Salaam Mwalimu Julius Nyerere International Airport at nine am, and immigration referred my passport to the supervisor, who has kept me waiting for an hour as she consulted her superiors. I am concerned that as a citizen of @jumuiya, my access within @jumuiya country appears inexplicably restricted,” Karua explained.
Karua further disclosed that Gloria Kimani and Lynn Ngugi were also detained, noting that all three were guests of the East Africa Law Society (EALS).
“Apart from me, @gloria_kimani and @ngugi_lynn are also detained. The common thread that binds us is that we are all guests of @ealawsociety,” she added.
Although the specific reasons for their detention were not disclosed, Karua suggested that the Tanzanian authorities’ decision to deny them entry stemmed from concerns that they might be interested in the case involving Tundu Lissu.
The hearing for Lissu, who has been detained for several weeks, is scheduled for Monday, May 19, 2025. Human rights activists in both Kenya and Tanzania have condemned President Samia Suluhu over the incident, asserting that it constitutes a violation of human rights.
Karua’s presence at Tundu Lissu’s court case had previously strained relations with the Tanzanian government. Sources
