Senator Maina: Tanzania should have given reasons to deport Martha Karua

This was in relation to Kenyans, including lawyer Martha Karua and former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga who were denied entry into Tanzania.  

“We are at different stages of democracy, and they have the right to determine who accesses or not,” said Senator Maina on Citizen TV’s DayBreak show. 

Senator Maina suggested that Tanzanian authorities could have offered legitimate reasons, emphasizing the importance of communication.

“But the honourable thing that a neighbour should do is to be able to explain when denying access to visitors and the reason they are being deported,” she argued.

Particular concern was expressed about the serious implications of deportation on an individual's record and future travel capabilities. 

"Being deported is a very serious thing," Senator Maina noted, explaining that it could negatively impact future visa applications when questions arise about previous immigration issues.

Veronica Maina - Nominated Senator: Tanzania should have at least given reasons as to why they deported Martha Karua, because it is something that could be held against her by another country #CitizenDayBreak @SamGituku pic.twitter.com/gSuoUsciMT

Breaking the silence on the deportation cases, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu on Monday said foreign activists would not be allowed to “interfere” in the country's affairs after several tried to attend the trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who is facing treason charges.

"We have started to observe a trend in which activists from within our region are attempting to intrude and interfere in our affairs," Hassan said in a televised speech during the launch of the country’s new foreign policy.

In her speech she said Tanzania is one of the few countries in the East Africa region to be politically stable, warning that the attempts to disrupt the country’s peace will not be allowed.

“If they have been controlled in their country, let them not come to disrupt us. Let us not give them the chance; they have already destabilised their countries, and the only remaining peaceful nation is Tanzania,” Hassan echoed.

The persons denied entry had travelled to Tanzania to witness the hearing of opposition politician Tundu Lissu, who is facing treason charges.