Kenyan lawyer and human rights activist Martha Karua has strongly criticised the Tanzanian government for how it is treating opposition leader Tundu Lissu.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Karua said Tanzania’s parliament is breaking its own laws and using force to silence critics.

“Taifa ambalo bunge lake linakiuka waziwazi katiba yake, sheria za kikanda na za kimataifa, na linatumia nguvu dhidi ya wengine, haliwezi kutarajiwa kulinda haki za raia wake, hasa wale wanaokabiliwa na mashtaka yenye msingi wa kisiasa,” she wrote.

This loosely translates to (A country whose parliament openly violates its constitution, regional and international laws, and uses force against others cannot be expected to protect the rights of its citizens, especially those facing politically motivated charges.)

Karua was referring to Tundu Lissu, leader of Chadema, Tanzania’s main opposition party.

In April 2025, Lissu was charged with treason after leading a campaign calling for electoral reforms under the slogan ‘No Reforms, No Election’.

Karua, former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, human rights activists Lynn Ngugi and Gloria Kimani had travelled to Tanzania to observe Lissu’s court hearing on May 18, but Tanzanian authorities deported them.

Human rights groups in Tanzania expressed shock, saying Karua had been allowed to attend similar hearings in April.

Her criticism comes even as tensions between Tanzanian officials and  Kenyan activists continue to grow.

Some Tanzanian MPs during a parliament session attacked Karua and Kenya’s youth-led Gen Z movement.

To some, Karua and the other activists should have been detained and prosecuted.

“Tulikosea kweli yule Martha Karua kumrejesha kule, na hili kosa lisitokee tena hapa… Yule alikuwa apigwe arudi na mitungi ya gesi kule kwao, anapumulia gesi.”

(We made a big mistake by sending Martha Karua back. This must never happen again. She should have been beaten and sent back with oxygen cylinders to help her breathe.)

The remarks have sparked anger among rights groups in Kenya and beyond, many terming them a threat to freedom of speech and democratic rights in the region.