Premium
Maraga allowed into Tanzania, attends Lissu trial
Former Chief Justice David Maraga greets Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu at a court in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania on May 19, 2025.
What you need to know:
- Mr Maraga had arrived in Dar es Salaam early Monday morning and appears to have been allowed entry while his predecessor, Willy Mutunga, was among those blocked by Tanzanian authorities.
- Through his X platform, the ex-CJ announced his arrival at the coastal Tanzanian city and revealed his plans to attend Mr Lissu’s case.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga attended court proceedings involving detained Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu in Tanzania.
Mr Maraga had arrived in Dar es Salaam early Monday morning and appears to have been allowed entry while his predecessor, Willy Mutunga, was among those blocked by Tanzanian authorities.
Through his X platform, the ex-CJ announced his arrival at the coastal Tanzanian city and revealed his plans to attend Mr Lissu’s case.
“Safely arrived in Dar-es-Salaam. Headed to court for the Tundu Lissu court case,” he said through his X account.
At around 2pm, Mr Maraga posted photos showing him interacting closely with Mr Lissu, with the two getting a chance to greet and chat for a few moments.
“It was truly inspiring to see my brother, Tundu Lissu, in high spirits today in court. As a member of Jumuiya (East Africa Community), I hold firm in the hope that the legal process ahead will be fair, just, and expeditious- reflecting the highest standards of integrity, independence, and respect for human dignity,” he posted on X.
Unlike two deputations from Kenya that had gone to show support for the besieged Lissu that were denied entry to Tanzania between Sunday and Monday, the immediate former Chief Justice was granted entry to the neighbouring country without any upheavals.
The first team that had planned to attend Mr Lissu’s court session was led by People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua, who, alongside two of her colleagues, Lynn Ngugi and Gloria Kimani, arrived and were detained at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam on Sunday morning.
The three, all guests of the East Africa Law Society (EALS) and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), were deported back to Nairobi Sunday afternoon.
“I arrived at Dar es Salaam, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere International Airport at 9 am, and immigration referred my passport to the supervisor, who kept me waiting for an hour as she consulted her superiors,” Karua said.
Mr Karua said their denial of entry was linked to their interest in the politically sensitive case of detained Lissu, who faces treason charges.
“The common thread between Gloria Kimani, a council member of LSK, and Lynn Ngugi is that we are guests of EALS.
I suspect all visitors who may be interested in the politically motivated case against Tundu Lissu are being denied entry,” she stated.
Exactly 24 hours later, a second delegation of three, made up of former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, Hanifa Adan, and Hussein Khalid, was detained at the same airport and are to be deported back to Kenya.
The trio, just like Ms Karua’s team, had intended to attend a court hearing at Kisutu Magistrates' Court on Monday.
“We, Willy Mutunga, Hanifa Adan, and I, have been detained at Julius Nyerere Airport, Dar es Salaam, as we came in for the observance of Tundu Lissu’s case. The trip was in solidarity with Tanzanian lawyers and human rights defenders. They have not given reasons for the detention," Mr Khalid posted on X.
Lissu, the chairman of Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), is facing treason and incitement charges.