Nairobi, Sunday, May 18, 2025 – Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has issued a fiery statement demanding that Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan be barred from entering Kenya, following the detention and deportation of Senior Counsel Martha Karua and two other Kenyan lawyers at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam.
The outspoken legislator termed the incident “demeaning and a gross violation of rights,” accusing Tanzanian authorities of mistreating Kenyan citizens visiting their country.
“It’s very worrying to mistreat Kenyans when they come to Tanzania. Detaining them at Julius Nyerere International Airport is demeaning, unnecessary and amounts to a violation of rights,” Babu Owino said in a press release on Sunday.
🔒 What Happened at the Airport?
Martha Karua, accompanied by two other lawyers, was reportedly invited to Tanzania by the East Africa Law Society (EALS) to participate in legal discussions ahead of a crucial court session involving opposition figure Tundu Lissu.
However, upon arrival, immigration officials allegedly confiscated her passport and detained her without explanation. The group was later deported, sparking outrage across Kenya’s legal and political spheres.
🚫 Babu’s Ultimatum to President Suluhu
In a strongly worded warning, Babu Owino said:
“Don’t ever come to Kenya if you can’t behave. We will not entertain such conduct unbecoming of a leader.”
He called for reciprocal action, suggesting that Kenya should ban President Suluhu from setting foot in the country in retaliation.
⚖️ Broader Legal and Political Fallout
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and several prominent legal figures, including Boniface Mwangi and Nelson Havi, condemned the detention:
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LSK urged the Kenyan government to seek an official explanation from Tanzania.
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Boniface Mwangi accused President Suluhu of stifling regional democracy, especially with Tanzanian general elections nearing.
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Nelson Havi questioned the relevance of the East African Community (EAC), stating:
“What is the purpose of the EAC if Martha Karua is denied entry into Tanzania to practise law and is instead deported?”
He further called on President William Ruto to intervene, and if unresolved, to expel the Tanzanian ambassador from Kenya.
