Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Charles Kanjama has raised concern over the deportation of Senior Counsel Martha Karua from Uganda, questioning the decision by authorities to bar her from entering the country while she was on official legal duty.
In a statement issued while in Uganda as part of the defence team representing Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago in ongoing treason proceedings, Kanjama said Karua was travelling in the same professional capacity as other members of the legal team but was denied entry without clear explanation.
He noted that Karua’s presence was directly linked to the defence of Lukwago, adding that her exclusion raises serious concerns about the fairness of legal proceedings and respect for the independence of counsel.
“I am in Uganda as part of the defence team representing Kampala Mayor Erias Lukwago in the ongoing treason proceedings. Of particular concern is the decision by Ugandan authorities to deny entry to Senior Counsel Martha Karua, who was travelling to Uganda for the same matter and in the same professional capacity,” Kanjama said.
He emphasised that the right to legal representation is a cornerstone of justice systems across the region, warning that selective admission of defence lawyers risks undermining due process.
“The right to legal representation and the independence of counsel are fundamental to the administration of justice. It is difficult to understand why one member of a defence team should be admitted while another is turned away,” he added.
Kanjama called on Ugandan authorities to provide a formal explanation for the incident, urging respect for legal professional rights and adherence to regional justice principles.
“We call upon the Ugandan authorities to provide an explanation for this action and to uphold the rule of law and regional cooperation that underpin the East African Law Society,” he stated.
The incident has sparked concern among legal professionals in the region, with questions being raised about the treatment of defence teams in politically sensitive cases.
Karua, a Senior Counsel and veteran Kenyan lawyer, was reportedly travelling to Uganda to participate in the defence team before she was denied entry and deported back to Nairobi.
The developments come amid heightened scrutiny of treason proceedings against Lukwago, with rights groups and legal bodies closely monitoring the case.