The leader of the People’s Liberation Party Martha Karua has strongly criticized East African leaders for allowing a culture of abductions, torture, and enforced disappearances against political dissenters.
She made her views clear in a post on her official X account dated Wednesday, August 27, 2025, where she directly targeted President William Ruto of Kenya, President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, and President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda.
Karua accused them of using state power against critics instead of addressing governance issues.
She questioned the leaders, asking if abducting, torturing, or even murdering critics was their preferred political strategy. Karua portrayed these actions as deliberate methods to silence dissenters.
She compared the current political situation in the region to the colonial era, wondering why citizens still face such hardships in the present day.
Using hashtags, Karua reveals the need to free all political prisoners in the East African Community and mentioned specific cases like Mdude Nyagali and Sam Mugumya. Her post aimed to show solidarity with those suffering from state oppression.
The comments by Karua reflect a growing concern about human rights in the region, with opposition figures and activists repeatedly expressing fears about intimidation and arbitrary arrests.
By naming the three presidents directly, Karua has sparked a debate about whether authoritarian practices are undermining the East African integration efforts under the “Jumuiya” umbrella.
While some online users support Karua’s bold stance against the presidents, others criticize her for being too harsh and potentially escalating tensions in the region.
Her statement reveals the ongoing threat to fundamental freedoms in the region, even years after Kenya adopted a progressive constitution and East African countries gained independence.
By Nairobi