Kenyan lawyer and former presidential candidate Martha Karua has been expelled from Tanzania, where she had travelled to attend the treason trial of prominent opposition leader Tundu Lissu. The move has sparked sharp criticism from Karua, who labelled it a clear indication that Tanzanian authorities have no intention of ensuring a fair judicial process.
Karua, a former justice minister and vocal advocate for human rights in East Africa, said her expulsion reflects what she described as a “total erosion of democratic principles” under the administration of Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
“This is yet another example of democratic backsliding in our region,” Karua said in a statement, adding that the decision to bar her from attending the trial raises serious concerns about the independence of Tanzania’s judiciary.
Tundu Lissu, leader of the opposition Chadema party and considered a key challenger to President Suluhu in the upcoming general elections, is facing treason charges that could carry the death penalty. His party was recently disqualified from participating in the October presidential and legislative elections after it refused to sign a controversial electoral code of conduct imposed by the government.
The trial and disqualification have intensified fears of authoritarian drift in Tanzania, where critics say the political space for opposition voices is shrinking rapidly.
Karua’s expulsion is being viewed as part of a broader crackdown on external scrutiny and political dissent, as regional and international observers raise alarms about the country’s deteriorating democratic environment.
