Kenya’s former Chief Justice David Maraga travelled to Dar es Salaam on Monday to attend the court hearing of Tanzanian opposition figure Tundu Lissu, who is facing treason charges. Maraga confirmed his arrival and court attendance in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Safely arrived in Dar-es-Salaam. Headed to court for the Tundu Lissu Court Case.”
Tundu Lissu, the leader of Chadema—Tanzania’s main opposition party—is accused of inciting public rebellion and allegedly calling for the disruption of the country’s upcoming October 2025 general elections. His case is being heard at the Kisutu Magistrates’ Court in Dar es Salaam.
The hearing has drawn significant regional attention, especially after several prominent Kenyan political and civil society leaders were deported from Tanzania while attempting to observe the proceedings. On Sunday, Kenyan opposition leader Martha Karua, LSK Council Member Gloria Kimani, and activist Lynn Ngugi were denied entry and flown back to Kenya. A similar fate befell former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, along with human rights defenders Hanifa Adan and Hussein Khalid, who were stopped at the airport on Monday morning.
Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi, who had also travelled to Tanzania for the hearing, reported feeling unsafe and shared concerns about his security while staying at a local hotel.
The developments come amid a wider political crackdown in Tanzania, where the electoral commission recently disqualified Chadema from participating in the 2025 elections, citing the party’s failure to sign a mandatory code of conduct on time.
The presence of high-profile Kenyan figures at Lissu’s trial highlights growing regional concern over political freedoms and due process in Tanzania.
