Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino has spoken out following his brief arrest and detention at Nyerere International Airport in Tanzania last December.
The legislator, known for his outspokenness, described the incident as an unnecessary and unjustified restriction on his movement.
Owino explained that upon arriving in Tanzania, immigration officials informed him that he was not permitted to enter the country, despite having all of the necessary travel documents. He was subsequently detained for several hours before being sent back to Kenya.
“I was shocked by the manner in which I was treated. There was no clear explanation given for my denial of entry into Tanzania. As a leader and a law-abiding citizen, I find such actions unacceptable,” Owino stated.
He also questioned the motivation behind the refusal, implying that it could have been politically motivated.
“I have visited Tanzania before without any issues. This sudden turn of events raises concerns about the reasons behind it. There was no violation of any law on my part, yet I was treated unfairly,” he added.
The MP has called for improved diplomatic relations between Kenya and Tanzania to avoid similar incidents in the future.
He emphasised the need for mutual respect between the two countries, particularly in terms of free movement and regional integration.
“This should serve as a wake-up call for authorities on both sides to uphold the principles of free movement within the East African Community (EAC). Kenyans and Tanzanians have a long history of cooperation, and such incidents only serve to create unnecessary tension,” Owino urged.
While Tanzanian authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the matter, Owino says he will continue to advocate for the rights of Kenyans travelling through the region.
