NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 22 — The National Liberal Party (NLP) has condemned the detention of People’s Liberation Party leader and Senior Counsel Martha Karua by Ugandan authorities at Entebbe International Airport, terming the incident a political provocation and an affront to regional integration within the East African Community (EAC).

📻 Breaking It Down

In a statement issued on Monday, NLP Secretary General Omondi K’Oyoo expressed grave concern over Karua’s detention, saying the senior lawyer and former Deputy Presidential Candidate was held upon arrival in Uganda despite her stature as one of Kenya’s most prominent political figures.

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📌 What You Need to Know

According to the party, Karua was detained after arriving aboard a Kenya Airways flight, while Law Society of Kenya President Charles Kanjama was allowed entry into the country. The party further alleged that Karua was being held incommunicado despite being scheduled to return to Nairobi the same day.

NLP argued that Karua’s detention goes beyond a routine immigration matter, describing it as a serious political issue with implications for the EAC’s commitment to democracy, free movement, and respect for political actors across member states.

The party demanded an immediate explanation from the Government of Uganda regarding Karua’s whereabouts, condition, and the legal basis for her detention. It also urged the Government of Kenya to urgently engage Kampala through diplomatic channels to secure her release and safe return.

Further, NLP called on the EAC Secretariat to guarantee the free movement of political leaders, legal practitioners, and public figures within the region without political harassment.

“We stand in full solidarity with the People’s Liberation Party, the Law Society of Kenya, and the family of Martha Karua,” the statement said.

The party described the detention of a senior political leader and former deputy presidential candidate without due process as an affront to the rule of law, political pluralism, and the ideals upon which the East African Community is founded.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya