The People’s Liberation Party leader, Martha Karua and former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga have filed a case at the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) following their deportation by the Tanzania government.
In their case, the two- among other activists are seeking a formal public apology from the Tanzanian government.
Karua and her co-petitioners are demanding general and specific damages to cover the mental distress and harm to their reputations, as well as reimbursement for all travel-related expenses incurred during their ordeal.
The activists who have joined Martha Karua include Gloria Kimani, Lynn Ngugi, Hussein Khalid, and Hanifa Adan, who assert that their rights as East African citizens were openly violated.
Martha Karua & Willy Mutunga Sue Tanzania
In their petition, the activists have stated that Tanzania violated multiple provisions of the East African Community (EAC) Treaty, including those guaranteeing the rule of law, good governance, transparency, and the right to free movement across member states.
The applicants are also pushing for the removal of the “refused entry” stamps from their passports and are seeking a court injunction to bar Tanzania from further violating the right to free movement for East African citizens.
Additionally, they claim they were unlawfully detained at the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, had their passports confiscated.
The matter is expected to be transferred to the East African Court of Justice in Arusha, with the court anticipated to issue directions and set a hearing date in the coming weeks.
Also Read: Samia Suluhu Sends Message to Tanzanians After Boniface Mwangi’s Deportation
East Africa Law Society Sue Tanzanian AG
The East Africa Law Society (EALS), the Regional Bar Association representing over 45,000 lawyers across the East African Community (EAC), has announced the filing of a lawsuit at the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) on June 10, 2025, against the Attorney General of the United Republic of Tanzania.
In a statement on June 10, 2025, EALS stated that the legal action seeks to vindicate the rights of those who were arbitrarily detained and deported from Tanzania on May 18 and 19, 2025.
“The detentions and deportations at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam constitute a grave violation of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community, which guarantees the free movement of persons, the rule of law, and fundamental rights of EAC citizens,” read part of the statement.
Also Read: Martha Karua Blocked from Entering Tanzania
Tanzania’s Actions were Unlawful
EALS, supported by its affiliate bar associations Law Society of Kenya, Tanganyika Law Society, Uganda Law Society, Zanzibar Law Society, Rwanda Bar Association, Burundi Bar Association, South Sudan Bar Association, and the Ethiopian Federal Advocates Association condemned these actions as contrary to the spirit of the EAC Treaty and the Common Market Protocol.
The lawsuit seeks a declaration that Tanzania’s actions were unlawful, an order for remedies to the affected individuals, and a reaffirmation of the rights of EAC citizens to engage in cross-border legal and human rights advocacy without hindrance.
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