PLP leader Martha Karua has renewed criticism of Prime and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi, highlighting a 2025 incident when she and a group of Kenyan lawyers and activists were denied entry into Tanzania.
The delegation, which included former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, had intended to attend opposition leader Tundu Lissu’s court proceedings but were turned away and returned to Kenya.
Karua made the remarks on Tuesday night during a TV47 interview, questioning the foreign affairs docket’s handling of Kenyan citizens abroad.
She said, “Amid abductions, if you remember, I saw Musalia almost very happy, almost gloating that ‘what had we gone to do there,’ yet he is having a comfortable life and a salary because we pay taxes and taxpayers are being mistreated in a neighboring country.”
The 2025 incident occurred amid heightened scrutiny of opposition activities in Tanzania.
Authorities in Dar es Salaam cited security concerns when denying the Kenyan delegation entry, effectively preventing them from observing Lissu’s court case.
Karua’s comments underscore persistent concerns over the protection of Kenyans engaging in political and legal matters outside the country.
Her criticism comes as CS Mudavadi continues to oversee the foreign affairs docket, which is responsible for safeguarding citizens’ rights during cross-border engagements.
At the time of the incident, former Chief Justice Mutunga emphasized that the denial of entry hindered the delegation’s right to monitor legal proceedings and participate in civic advocacy.
The event has remained a reference point for discussions on Kenya-Tanzania diplomatic interactions and the role of the foreign affairs office in defending Kenyan citizens abroad.
Karua stressed that leaders should not appear indifferent when citizens face mistreatment in neighboring countries.
The episode also touches on broader issues of diplomatic engagement and regional relations, as well as the responsibilities of Kenyan officials in ensuring that activists, lawyers, and other citizens can operate safely and without obstruction in cross-border legal and political matters.