Former Justice Minister and veteran lawyer Martha Karua has spoken out after her dramatic deportation from Uganda, describing the incident as unlawful and politically motivated.
Addressing the press on Monday evening after returning to Kenya, Karua said she was relieved to be back home following what she termed a “disturbing” experience at Entebbe International Airport, where she was denied entry despite initially being cleared by immigration officials.
“I am relieved to be back home in Kenya after being denied entry into Uganda on Monday morning under circumstances that I believe were unlawful and politically motivated,” Karua said.
She explained that she arrived in Uganda at about 8:50am aboard a Kenya Airways flight, travelling with three other individuals, including the President of the Law Society of Kenya, Charles Kanjama. Karua noted that she had complied with all entry requirements upon arrival.
“As Secretary-General of the East Africa Law Society and an advocate licensed to practise in Uganda, I had every reason to believe my entry would be routine,” she stated.
Karua said she completed the mandatory Ebola screening forms and proceeded through immigration, where she was initially cleared to enter the country. However, the situation changed shortly afterwards.
“I then went to wait for my colleagues at the baggage collection area since I only had hand luggage,” she explained.
According to Karua, an immigration officer later approached her and informed her that her clearance had been reversed.
“A short while later, an immigration officer approached and informed me that she had been told she made a mistake by clearing me, because there was a note against my name,” she said.
Karua added that she immediately became concerned after learning of the reversal, especially in light of prior information she had received.
“I was immediately concerned because I had received information last week suggesting there might be a red alert,” she said, without providing further details.
The incident has sparked renewed debate over cross-border legal practice and freedom of movement within the East African Community, with observers questioning the circumstances under which a licensed regional legal practitioner was denied entry after initial clearance.