By Outrage as Tanzania Blocks Kenyan Leaders From Observing Tundu Lissu Court Case
A diplomatic row is brewing between Kenya and Tanzania after senior Kenyan political figures and activists were denied entry into Tanzania, where they had planned to observe ongoing court proceedings involving opposition politician Tundu Lissu.
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Those blocked at the border include veteran Kenyan politician and People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, renowned journalist Lynn Ngugi, and human rights advocate Gloria Kimani. The incident has sparked strong condemnation from civil society groups and East African observers, who argue the move undermines regional cooperation and freedom of movement.
Pan-African advocacy group VOCAL Africa issued a public statement condemning the actions of the Tanzanian authorities and President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration. “We strongly condemn the move… to deny Martha Karua, Gloria Kimani, and Lynn Ngugi entry into Tanzania to observe the Tundu Lissu court proceedings,” the group stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
The women were reportedly traveling to attend and monitor a court hearing involving Lissu, a prominent opposition figure who survived an assassination attempt in 2017 and has since been vocal about state repression and democratic backsliding in Tanzania.
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“As members of the East African Community (EAC), Kenyans have a right of entry, as the freedom of movement of nationals of East Africa is enshrined in the East Africa Cooperation agreement,” VOCAL Africa said.
The statement called on the Tanzanian government to uphold its commitments under the EAC treaty and refrain from harassing visiting citizens from member states. “We take note of the growing authoritarianism in East Africa and demand that the governments desist from harassing their citizens,” it added.
The Tanzanian government has not issued an official explanation for the entry denial, but political analysts suggest it may be linked to the sensitive nature of the court case involving Lissu and broader concerns over foreign scrutiny of Tanzania’s judiciary and human rights record.
Martha Karua, a former Justice Minister and a consistent voice on the rule of law and democracy across the region, has yet to make a formal statement but has in the past criticized restrictions on civic space and the erosion of democratic norms across East Africa.
Observers now warn that the incident could test diplomatic relations between Kenya and Tanzania and reignite debates over adherence to EAC protocols on regional integration, particularly around the rights of citizens to move and participate in civic activities across member states.
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