Veteran Kenyan politician Martha Karua has narrated the circumstances surrounding her denial of entry into Uganda, saying she was briefly held by immigration officers at Entebbe International Airport before being escorted back to Nairobi under unclear conditions.
Karua said she travelled to Uganda not for legal representation, but to check on a colleague whose court appearance she had been informed about.
However, upon arrival, she was stopped by immigration officials and subjected to questioning.
“I travelled to Uganda not to represent a client in court but simply to check on my colleague because I had been informed that he was expected to appear,” Karua said.
She revealed that she was escorted to the office of the Principal Immigration Officer, where she was informed she would not be allowed into the country due to unspecified security concerns.
According to her, no explanation was provided despite her repeated requests for clarity.
Karua further alleged that two immigration officers confiscated her mobile phones without consent before the briefing. She said the officers did not explain the reason for taking her devices.
“The officers wanted to place me in a holding cell, but I requested to remain at the Kenya Airways lounge and wait for a return flight to Nairobi,” she said, noting that her request was eventually granted.
She added that she was escorted to the transfer passenger section of the airport, where she remained under the supervision of immigration officers until she boarded a flight back to Kenya.
Throughout the incident, Karua said she repeatedly sought to know whether she had committed any offence, but received no answer from the authorities.
“As a citizen of the East African Community, I believe I am entitled to freedom of movement within the region,” she stated. “That right was denied to me without explanation.”
The incident has drawn attention to the treatment of regional political figures at border points and raised fresh questions over adherence to East African Community protocols on free movement.