People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has claimed that the government of Kenya colluded with Tanzanian authorities during her recent detention and deportation, despite her credentials and status as a former Cabinet Minister.
In what appears to be a protest against East African Community (EAC) member States, Ms Karua expressed concern over the increasing suppression of dissenting voices in the region.
Referring to recent incidents of brutality and detentions involving opposition leaders in Uganda and Tanzania, Ms Karua issued a rallying call for citizens to defend their rights and freedoms.
“Let us join hands. Let us challenge these rogue regimes. I want to declare the three East African States of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania rogue States. I want to say categorically that Kenya cooperated in our detention and deportation,” Ms Karua said.
Speaking on Tuesday at the party headquarters, Ms Karua further criticised the Kenyan government for remaining silent while its citizens were detained in Tanzania despite President William Ruto currently serving as the EAC chairperson.
Ugandan Human Rights Activist Agather Atuhaire (left) and his Kenyan Colleague Boniface Mwangi addressing journalists at Mageuzi Hub in Nairobi on June 2, 2025.
Photo credit: Evans Habil/Nation Media Group
“When torture sets in, there must have been communication. They are complicit. Look at how strangely the letters were written, feeble letters written on the same day as Uganda. Very weak communications, lacking in demands. Not even summoning the ambassadors to explain the whereabouts of our nationals,” Ms Karua said.
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She also accused the Kenyan government of complicity claiming that it is likely President Ruto was informed about the situation while they were still being held at a Tanzanian airport.
“I want to accuse the Kenyan government, at the highest level, of complicity. There is no way we could have been deported without communication. That one hour before deportation, the call from the Kenyan ambassador to Tanzania was simply a lullaby to put us at ease before the deportation,” she said.
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Ms Karua was deported last month alongside journalist Lynn Ngugi and Law Society of Kenya council member Gloria Kimani.
Ms Karua further cited the imprisonment of Ugandan opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye and threats against Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) as evidence of growing threats to opposition parties in the region.
“Rose Njeri, a young Kenyan whose only act was using technology to create a civic platform for public engagement on the 2025 Finance Bill, was arrested. Her detention reflects the shrinking space for innovation and democratic participation in our country,” Ms Karua stated.
She warned that if the current trend continues without action from citizens, the region could face a serious democratic crisis.
“To the people of East Africa, this is our moment of truth. We must resist. To the leaders of the EAC you cannot speak of unity while jailing, abducting and torturing your own citizens and criminalising the free movement of people,” she said.
However, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura dismissed the allegations stating that each EAC member state operates independently.
“There is no such thing. These claims are only meant to create relevance for political competitors. The newly launched political parties are looking for momentum. There is no agreement between East African member states to act in that manner. Every country has a right to admit or deny entry to anyone,” Mr Mwaura said.
