Faith Chandianya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and Current Affairs in Kenya

Prime Cabinet secretary Musalia Mudavadi has broken his silence about the detention and deportation of Senior Counsel Martha Karua in Tanzania, an incident stirring deep political ripples across the region.

Karua was detained at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam alongside human rights advocates Gloria Kimani and Lynn Ngugi.

The East Africa Law Society had invited the three to attend a court hearing for Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who is charged with treason and cybercrime.

While still in custody, Karua released a statement expressing frustration over their treatment, highlighting the principles of East African unity and freedom of movement.

After waiting for an hour, she was told that she, Kimani, and Ngugi had been denied entry into Tanzania.

Separately, Activist Boniface Mwangi was detained on May 19 at his hotel after Tanzanian officials accused him of entering the country illegally.

According to Mudavadi, Mwangi is still being detained in Tanzania.

Speaking Tuesday, May 20, at William Lumati’s funeral in Malava, Mudavadi challenged claims that Kenya is a dictatorship with restricted free speech.

Without naming anyone, he noted that some individuals behaved in Tanzania as they do in Kenya, and ended up being deported. He further urged Kenyans to respect the laws of the countries they visit.

"Walienda kulete mchezo huwa wanaleta hapa katika nchi jirani. What has happened? When we tell people that Kenya is democratic, they don't believe it. People come from other countries to come and protest in Kenya. They tried that in Tanzania, hawakutoka kwa airport. Wameambiwa rudi kwenu. This is the reality," Mudavadi said.

He also warned Kenyans to remember that laws vary from country to country, and what is allowed in Kenya may not be allowed elsewhere.

"Our laws, the democratic space that Kenyans enjoy... now you should start seeing what we tell you. Don't take what you have for granted. You have a free and open society. Mtu anasimama hapa anatusi, Mudavadi anaenda tu, anatusi Ruto anaenda tu. Try elsewhere and see," he added.

Mudavadi’s statement came just hours after Karua criticised Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan for the treatment of Kenyan civil society members.

The leader of the People’s Liberation Party took to social media to counter Suluhu’s strong remarks, accusing foreign activists of threatening Tanzania’s peace and sovereignty.

Karua emphasised that her presence in Tanzania was legal and complied with regional agreements.

By referencing the East African Community treaty, she suggested that Tanzania’s actions were not only diplomatically harsh but could also violate its international commitments.

Source: TUKO.co.ke