People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has come out strongly against Tanzanian ruling party (CCM) Deputy Chairman Stephen Wasira, following his remarks accusing her of meddling in Tanzania’s internal affairs under the guise of election observation.

Wasira had stated that Karua, while attending a court session at Kisutu, declared she had come both as an observer and as a politician representing her party, the People’s Liberation Party (PLP).

According to Wasira, Karua crossed the line when she claimed the arrest of opposition leader Tundu Lissu showed the government feared Chadema and further demanded Lissu’s unconditional release and the party’s right to contest elections.

He added that Karua’s role as an observer became compromised the moment she passed judgment, saying observers are meant to watch and listen, not interfere or suggest political outcomes.

In a late-night response posted on her X account on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, Martha Karua dismissed the accusations, calling on Wasira to speak truthfully and accurately and shun false accusations.

 She asserted that being a politician is not a crime, especially within the East African Community.

She questioned why, if she was the problem, Tanzanian authorities also detained the two Kenyan activists who were accompanying her, who are not politicians like her.

“Bwana Wasira toa maelezo ya ukweli sio mambo ya kubahatisha, wewe ni mwanasiasa kama mimi na unaelewa siasa si makosa au haram. Bona hamukunifurusha peke yangu mukavamia wengine ambao sio wanasiasa“? Karua said.

She went further to challenge the selective detention, asking why European observers, many of whom represent political parties and diplomatic interests, were not expelled. “Or is the real offence simply being a member of the Jumuiya?” she said.

“Kutoa maono yangu sio hatia kwa Katiba na sheria za Tanzania. Observer mabalozi wa nchi za Ulaya ni wakilishi wa kisiasa. Mbona hawakufurushwa au hatia ni kuwa mwana @jumuiya,” she added.

Kenyan activists’ detention in Tanzania

This comes days after Martha Karua, alongside her colleagues Gloria Kimani and Lynn Ngugi, was detained at Julius Nyerere International Airport on May 18, 2025, questioned for hours, and deported to prevent their attendance at the Tindu Lissu trial.

Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and other activists were also denied entry and detained before deportation.

Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan defended the deportations, accusing foreign activists of interfering in Tanzania’s affairs and threatening national stability.

Who said that Tanzania is not a haven where activists restricted in their countries could go to express themselves and cause chaos.