MP Koech: Tanzania has the right to deny Karua entry

Koech, also the chairperson of the National Assembly Committee on Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations, acknowledged the unfortunate nature of the incident while upholding Tanzania's sovereign right to control its borders.

"It is unfortunate that Martha Karua was deported because it undermines the East African Community Treaty of free trade and free movement of people from the East African Community. Nonetheless, the admission of any citizen from within the three countries is a subject of the host country," Koech stated.

Koech emphasised that despite regional integration efforts that offers members of East African countries freedom to cross borders, each country maintains control over who enters its territory.

"If the Tanzanian security or whatever, the Tanzanian government for that matter, feels that Martha Karua is not supposed to be in their country, they have a right and probably they have reasons,” he said. 

"There is freedom, but I would say the right to admit any citizen of another country belongs to the host country. And if they feel uncomfortable and do not want to admit them, then they will deport them. Exactly what they did yesterday," Koech added.

In a panel discussion on Citizen TV’s DayBreak show, Koech raised questions about Karua's involvement in legal matters across multiple East African countries.

"I think sometimes maybe Karua should focus on Kenya," he suggested. 

As the head of the parliamentary committee overseeing foreign relations matters, Koech's comments carry significant weight in Kenya's political landscape. His position suggests that Tanzania was acting within its sovereign rights.

"I believe that there are justifiable reasons on why someone should be denied to go to another country. And probably that is what Karua should reflect on," he added.

When asked about the official response, Koech mentioned that diplomatic channels were already active.

"Like the PS Foreign Affairs is saying, they are trying to establish from the authorities what exactly happened," he noted, referring to the Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei’s statement that Kenya's mission in Dar es Salaam had reached out to relevant authorities in Tanzania.

Koech emphasized the preliminary nature of the information available: "This is a statement that has only come from Honorable Martha Karua. Unless I truly understand what happened or probably why she was deported, it will be very prejudicial for me to make a statement on what exactly might have happened."

"It happens everywhere, not just in Tanzania," Koech said regarding deportations. 

When asked if Kenya would do the same to a Tanzanian opposition leader who is a lawyer, he responded: "If they want to, they will do. They have never shown interest in representing any person in Kenya. I mean, our democracy has matured to an extent where we don't get into these small political fights anymore."

However, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi and the deputy leader of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Cleophas Malala, were of contrary opinion, saying that Martha Karua was treated unjustly.

“It was unnecessary and unfortunate for the Tanzanian government to deport Martha Karua, as it undermines the spirit of the East African Community, “said Senator Godfrey Osotsi.

The remarks come Karua, a Senior Counsel, was denied entry into neighbouring Tanzania and was deported on Sunday evening. 

“I have been denied entry into Tanzania I and two colleagues are awaiting deportation at Mwalimu Nyerere International Airport, Dar es Salaam,” Karua wrote in a post on X. 

Karua's case appears to be part of a larger pattern of detentions involving Kenyan figures. Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, activists Hanifa Adan and Khalid Hussein were also detained by Tanzanian authorities. The three were visiting Tanzania as part of a Pan-African human rights mission.

“The trip was in solidarity with Tanzanian lawyers and human rights defenders. They have not given reasons for the detention,” Hussein posted on X.

Meanwhile, Kenyan activist and photojournalist Boniface Mwangi also expressed fear for his safety after claiming that police officers visited his hotel room in Dar es Salaam late at night. Mwangi reported that the officers demanded to know his room number, escalating concerns about targeted actions against Kenyan activists and public figures in Tanzania.

“My life is in danger. I'm at Serena Hotel, Dar es Salaam, and there are armed men in civilian clothes outside my room. They claim they are police officers, but they have refused to identify themselves. They will have to break the door to remove me here. I'm not going to open it,” tweeted Mwangi.