By Agencies

Zimbabwean Constitutional and Human Rights lawyer Brian Bright Tamuka Kagoro was removed from a flight in Addis Ababa on Tuesday while travelling to Kenya, despite a Kenyan High Court order directing that he be allowed entry into the country.

Kagoro, who was detained and deported from Kenya in February, was stopped by security personnel after boarding his flight from Addis Ababa, questioned, and prevented from reboarding, according to a statement from the Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU) and its partners.

His legal team is seeking urgent clarification from the relevant authorities and has begun legal action, arguing that the incident raises concerns over compliance with a June 2026 court order.

The Pan-Africanist, pro-democracy advocate and human-rights defender, with a long career in constitutionalism, democratic governance and African regional integration, Kagoro was then prevented from reboarding the flight and was therefore unable to travel to Kenya, where he was to be received by Human Rights Organisations and issue a statement upon arrival.

A press briefing that had been scheduled for when he arrived was later cancelled.

“The circumstances under which he was removed from the aircraft, questioned and prevented from continuing his journey are deeply concerning, particularly given the existing court order directing that he be granted entry into Kenya,” PALU said.

His legal team said it’s taking all necessary legal steps to challenge these actions and ensure that the Court Order is respected.

PALU said Kagoro was travelling to Kenya pursuant to an order of the Kenyan High Court issued in June 2026 directing that he be granted entry into the country.

Kagoro, 51, was stopped by immigration officers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on the evening of February 22 and declared persona non grata before being put on a return flight.

Authorities said he was questioned for several hours before the decision to expel him was made.

Following the move, a Constitutional Petition was subsequently filed by PALU, East Africa Law Society (EALS), Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and the Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ-Kenya) challenging his detention and deportation on due process and rule of law grounds.

In June 2026, the Constitutional and Human Rights Division of the High Court of Kenya granted conservatory orders protecting Kagoro against future arbitrary denial of entry into Kenya, pending determination of the Petition.