As the case against Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu kicked off in court on Monday morning, Kenyan activists took to the Nairobi streets, marching towards the Tanzanian Embassy to demand accountability from the Tanzanian government over the arbitrary detainment of Kenyan activists seeking to observe the trial.
Speaking from the premises, they demanded that the East African nation's authorities apologise for the deportation of former Justice Minister Martha Karua and others. They also sought a declaration that a similar incident would not recur.
"We have demands of the Tanzanian authorities, and they are only three. One, we need an apology to Mama Martha Karua and the people of Kenya," one decried.
"Two, we need an explanation from the Tanzanian authorities for why what happened happened, and number three, we need a firm confirmation from the people of Tanzania and the East African Community that what happened yesterday will not happen to anybody coming to East Africa."
They further cited Uganda's treatment of Karua when representing Kizza Besigye, where she was allowed to observe the sessions and was never denied entry into the country, as the reason why she was owed an apology by Tanzania.
On Sunday, May 18, former Justice Minister Martha Karua set off to Tanzania, accompanied by two fellow human rights defenders, Gloria Kimani and Lynn Ngugi, where they were denied entry upon landing at Julius Nyerere International Airport.
After almost six hours at the airport without clear communication, they were deported back into the country, with Karua terming the move as politically motivated.
The three had travelled in preparation for Monday's hearing of Lissu's case, which has triggered uproar across Africa since he was apprehended in April.
Early Monday morning, another entourage consisting of former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and activists Hanifa Adani and Hussein Khalid was also detained at the airport on their way to stand with Lissu. They have since been deported.
Vocal activist Boniface Mwangi, who arrived at his Dar es Salaam hotel room on Sunday, reported fearing for his life as individuals claiming to be police demanded he leave with them.
Lissu, who faces treason and publishing false information charges for calling for electoral reforms during a rally, is the national chairperson for the Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), the main opposition in Tanzania.
On Monday morning, he appeared in open court for the first time at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court after refusing to participate in online hearings for two consecutive sessions.
Kenya's emeritus Chief Justice David Maraga was in court on Monday after successfully landing at the airport without detainment, an experience that was a complete contrast to his predecessor Willy Mutunga's experience.
