People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has said she was denied entry into Tanzania and that authorities are planning to deport her back to Kenya.

In a social media post on Sunday May 18, 2025, Karua said she, alongside human rights defenders and lawyers Gloria Kimani and Lynn Ngugi were detained at the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Tanzania.

“I have been denied entry into Tanzania and I and two colleagues are awaiting deportation at Mwalimu Nyerere International Airport Dar es Salaam,” Karua said.

The three had travelled to Tanzania on the invitation of the East Africa Law Society.

According to Karua, she arrived in Tanzania at 9.00 am, and an immigration official at the airport referred her passport to the supervisor.

“I arrived at Dar es Salaam, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere International Airport at 9 a.m, and immigration referred my passport to the supervisor, who kept me waiting for an hour as she consulted her superiors,” Karua posted.

“I am concerned that, as a citizen of Jumuiya, my access within the East African Community (EAC) appears inexplicably restricted,” she added.

The PLP leader had travelled to Tanzania to support detained opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who is facing treason charges in court.

She alleged that their entry was being denied due to their interest in the politically charged case involving Tundu Lissu.

“The common thread between Gloria Kimani, a council member of LSK, and Lynn Ngugi is that we are guests of EALS. I suspect all visitors who may be interested in the politically motivated case against Tundu Lissu are being denied entry,” Karua wrote.

Meanwhile, Karua is currently representing Uganda’s opposition leader Kizza Besigye, and has also expressed interest in representing Lissu in court.