Former Chief Justice David Maraga has refuted claims that he and other leaders were in Tanzania to interfere with the country’s politics, saying their mission was purely in support of democracy and solidarity with opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
Speaking in Kwale County on Saturday, May 24, 2025, during the launch of the United Green Movement (UGM) Party, Maraga clarified the intention behind his visit to Tanzania, amid rising tensions between the Tanzanian government and foreign activists.
“The reason I went to Tanzania was not to cause chaos there, it was in solidarity with Tanzania’s opposition leader Tundu Lissu. We have no interest in fighting the government of Tanzania or any other government,” he remarked
Maraga’s remarks come after a series of dramatic events in Tanzania involving the arrest, detention, and deportation of Kenyan and Ugandan activists who had travelled to Dar es Salaam to attend the treason trial of Lissu.
Lissu, a prominent CHADEMA party leader and former presidential candidate, is currently facing charges of incitement and treason over his calls for electoral reforms ahead of Tanzania’s October 2025 general elections.
On May 19, Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan lawyer Agather Atuhaire were arrested in Dar es Salaam as they attempted to attend the court proceedings. While early reports claimed they were deported, the Tanzania Law Society later stated that they were being held by the Immigration Department.
By the afternoon of May 22, Mwangi had been deported and reunited with his wife, Njeri Mwangi, in Ukunda, Kwale County. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) confirmed his return in an official statement on X (formerly Twitter), after hours of growing pressure on Tanzanian authorities to disclose his whereabouts.
Human rights activist Hussein Khalid said Mwangi had been dumped at the Horohoro border post by Tanzanian security operatives and accused the agents of torturing him. Photos shared online showed Mwangi looking frail, with visible bruises on his arms and legs.
“Boniface Mwangi was dumped at the Horohoro border post this morning by Tanzanian security agents. He has been severely tortured and can barely walk; his body is broken, but his spirit remains strong,” Khalid posted.
Atuhaire was found dumped at the Ugandan border with Tanzania in Mutukula on Friday, May 23, 2025.
In a statement on Saturday, May 24, 2025, Agather recounted the experience at the hands of Tanzanian authorities, observing that together with Boniface Mwangi, they were lucky to be alive.
“Good people, I have no words to thank you for your support, concern, and love. I am not okay, but what a relief to be alive and back home! I still can’t believe Boniface Mwangi and I made it out alive,” Agather remarked.
Several other high-profile Kenyan leaders were also barred from entering Tanzania on May 18, 2025. Former Justice Ministers Martha Karua and Willy Mutunga were among those blocked from attending the trial.
Karua, who had flown into Dar es Salaam to represent Lissu in court, was arrested at Julius Nyerere International Airport and deported shortly after arrival. She condemned the trial and Tanzania’s handling of the matter, calling it a breach of the country’s constitution and international human rights standards.
Interference
In response to the uproar, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu issued a warning against what she called foreign interference. While unveiling the country’s new foreign policy on May 19, she expressed concern over increasing involvement by foreign activists in Tanzania’s internal matters.
“We have started to observe a trend in which activists from within our region are attempting to intrude and interfere in our affairs,” President Suluhu said.
She further warned that Tanzania would not allow external influences to disrupt its peace.
“If they have been controlled in their country, let them not come to disrupt us. Let us not give them the chance; they have already destabilised their countries, and the only remaining peaceful nation is Tanzania,” she added.
Suluhu also directed security agencies to take action against any foreigners who cross the line, stressing that Tanzania would not tolerate unruly behaviour from visitors.
Suluhu’s firm stance
On May 24, 2025, Suluhu stood firm amid criticism over the detention and deportation of the foreign activists, asserting they posed a threat to Tanzania’s peace.
Speaking during a swearing-in ceremony in Dar es Salaam, she claimed the activists intended to infiltrate key government institutions. Suluhu urged citizens to unite in defending the country, stressing that national security is a shared duty and the nation’s stability is its most valuable asset.
“Now the work of protecting the nation is not mine alone, nor is it reserved only to our security organs; it is our collective responsibility because if we do not do that, they will infiltrate our ministries, our agencies, and they will want to come in and disrupt everything. Now, protect your country. This is the only resource left for us, so go and guard our nation,” she insisted.
