Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has written a protest letter to Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu after he was allegedly denied entry, briefly detained, and later deported at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam in December 2024.
In the letter, Owino expressed his disappointment over being placed on Tanzania’s list of persona non grata (unwelcome persons), saying he is an East African citizen with the right to travel freely within the region.
“I write to bring to your attention that when I recently visited Tanzania in December 2024, upon arrival at the airport in Dar es Salaam, your immigration officers rejected my passport and casually informed me that I am on the list of persona non grata in Tanzania,” his letter reads in part.
The MP, who represents Embakasi East in Kenya’s National Assembly, said he was briefly detained at the airport in what he termed a violation of his right to free movement.
He argued that under international law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), he is entitled to move in and out of countries upon following due process.
Owino also cited the East African Community (EAC) Treaty and the Common Market Protocol, which allow free movement of citizens among partner states.
He questioned why he was denied entry despite Tanzania hosting the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), where Kenya is represented.
“Therefore, I am placing this special request to your office to appraise me in writing on the reasons why I am not allowed to enter Tanzania for business, as a representative of the people of Kenya, or as a friend of the people of Tanzania for any other legitimate reasons,” Owino stated.
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