Martha Karua Speaks Out: “Never Surrender” in the Face of Regional Oppression
In a bold and emotionally charged interview on Fa Mambbo Africa, Senior Counsel Martha Karua revealed the shocking details of her deportation from Tanzania, the torture of Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi, and what she calls the “coordinated collapse of human rights” across East Africa.
Karua, a respected advocate for constitutionalism and justice, was among six Kenyans deported from Tanzania after attempting to attend the trial of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu. She described her detainment at Julius Nyerere International Airport as “psychological torture” and a disturbing sign of shrinking democratic space across the region.
“We must never surrender to oppression… never, never, never surrender,” Karua stated emphatically.
The Silent War on East African Citizens
Karua raised grave concerns about what she believes is a deliberate collusion among East African heads of state—Kenya’s William Ruto, Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, and Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu—to crack down on dissent.
Boniface Mwangi, she revealed, was not just detained but tortured for three days in Tanzania. His injuries were severe enough to require hospitalization. According to Karua, the Kenyan government—particularly CS Musalia Mudavadi—was complicit or, at the very least, deliberately silent.
“The government of Kenya failed to protect its citizens. It wasn’t just negligence—it was complicity,” she declared.
A Regional Assault on Activism
Karua didn’t hold back in criticizing Tanzania’s use of violence, abductions, and fear to silence both its own citizens and regional activists. She called the current CCM-led regime “a betrayal of the legacy of Julius Nyerere,” who once offered Tanzania as a safe haven for political dissidents.
The treatment of civil society figures such as Karua, Boniface Mwangi, and Ugandan lawyer Agatha is part of a broader strategy, she warns, to suppress solidarity and criminalize justice work.
“Paid Activists” Narrative Debunked
Critics—especially government-aligned bloggers—have accused Karua and others of engaging in “paid activism.” Karua dismissed those claims with sharp clarity:
“Solidarity is not a crime. If you cannot support, stay silent. Don’t insult those who are doing the work of defending our region.”
A Call for Unity and Resistance
Karua’s final message was clear: East African citizens must unite across borders, ideologies, and generations to resist tyranny.
“We must organize within our countries and across the Jumuia. Freedom, good governance, and human rights are not optional—they are our constitutional right.”
As the October 2025 Tanzanian elections approach and Kenya braces for 2027, this interview is not just a powerful account of injustice—it’s a call to action for an entire region.
Watch the Full Interview:
👉 https://youtu.be/Lme7WHsKBUQ
Listen on Spotify:
🎧 Click here to stream
Listen on Spotify:
🎧 Click here to stream
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