LSK Demands Compensation for Kenyans Deported by Tanzania
Kenyans in Limbo: LSK Seeks Compensation for Deportation by Tanzania
Faith Odhiambo, the President of the Law Society of Kenya, has called for the Tanzanian government to be held accountable for the detention and deportation of Kenyan citizens.
On June 10, 2025, she, along with Ramadhan Abubakar, President of the East Africa Law Society, and Gloria Kimani, a Council Member of the Law Society of Kenya, submitted a petition to the East Africa Court of Justice at the Milimani Law Court, seeking compensation for those affected. The case includes prominent figures such as Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and Senior Counsel Martha Karua, who were among those detained and denied entry into Tanzania on May 18 and 19, 2025, while attempting to attend a hearing for opposition leader Tundu Lisu.
The petitioners are requesting compensation for their deportation and the annulment of the entry refusal stamps on their passports. In a media briefing, Abubakar highlighted the right of every East African citizen to access any member state, expressing hope for a swift hearing as the case is set to be transferred to Arusha, where the court is located.
Faith Odhiambo, the President of the Law Society of Kenya, emphasized that Kenya is a member of the East African Law Society, which is backing the petition regarding the recent detentions and deportations. She pointed out that a council member, who was merely present to observe a legal brief, faced similar treatment, alongside Senior Counsel Martha Karua.
Odhiambo expressed the collective sentiment of the nation, urging the Tanzanian government to be held accountable for the unjust detention and deportation of these individuals, who had not engaged in any criminal activity that would warrant such actions. She argued that while Tanzania asserts its right to deny entry, the individuals in question are citizens who have previously visited the country without incident, and their intentions were not to disrupt governmental functions. Furthermore, she cautioned that these actions could strain relations within the East African region and undermine Tanzania’s responsibilities as a member of the East African Community. Consequently, she called for accountability through the East African Court of Justice to safeguard against similar incidents affecting other Kenyan citizens in the future.
Join the Conversation: Submit Your Guest Posts to Chumamoto Media Today!
Email Us admin@chumamoto.co.ke
