Maraga rubbishes claims of govt backing in Tanzania visit during Tundu Lissu’s case
By Ascah Mwango, July 16, 2025Former Chief Justice David Maraga has denied claims that he received any special treatment or government support when he travelled to Tanzania in May 2025 to attend court proceedings for opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
Addressing the matter during an interview on a local TV station on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, Maraga explained that he underwent standard immigration procedures upon arrival in Tanzania. He presented his passport at the airport, it was stamped without issue, and he was allowed entry like any other ordinary traveller.
Once cleared, he proceeded to attend the court session in support of Lissu and later interacted with members of the public outside the courtroom.
“I went there and I was not stopped, I went and gave my passport, I was cleared and went in. A lot was said, some of my detractors said this is a government project, calls must have been made from high places for him to be cleared without any problem,” Maraga said.
The former Chief Justice noted that there had been claims from critics suggesting his presence in Tanzania was part of a larger political scheme, possibly orchestrated with support from high-level officials. However, he firmly denied these assertions, reiterating that no special favours were extended to him and that his trip was entirely transparent and lawful.
His visit came just days after several Kenyan figures were blocked from entering Tanzania under similar circumstances. Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, lawyer Martha Karua, and activist Hussein Khalid were among those who were detained at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam.
They said they were questioned for hours, denied entry, and placed on return flights to Nairobi.
The Tanzanian government did not give any clear explanation for the deportations. However, it was reported that immigration officials accused the group of not disclosing the true purpose of their visit.
Some officials claimed that their presence was politically sensitive, given the ongoing case involving Tundu Lissu, a well-known critic of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s government.
Local and regional observers condemned the deportations, calling them a violation of international law and East African Community (EAC) protocols that promote freedom of movement and the right to observe public legal proceedings. Civil society groups across the region said the move was an attempt to limit scrutiny of the court process and silence solidarity efforts.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu warned against foreign interference in the country’s internal affairs.
“We have started to observe a trend in which activists from within our region are attempting to intrude and interfere in our affairs,” she said.
Suluhu stressed that Tanzania would not allow outsiders to disturb the peace that the country has long enjoyed.
“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.
During a swearing-in ceremony on May 24, 2025, in Dar es Salaam, Suluhu reiterated her stance, claiming the activists were attempting to infiltrate key government institutions and urging Tanzanians to remain vigilant.
“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 said.