The Vice Chairperson of Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA, John Heche, has been blocked by Tanzanian immigration authorities at the Sirari One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) today, October 18, 2025, as he was heading to Kenya to attend the funeral of the former Prime Minister of Kenya, Raila Odinga.
The party had announced on October 17, 2025, that a delegation of three people, including Godbless Lema, a member of the party’s Congress, and Boniface Jacob, Chairperson of the party’s Pwani Region, would attend the funeral.
“I am at the Isibania One-Stop Border, and they have stopped me from traveling without any valid reason. They claim that I have a case in Tanzania, so I am not allowed to travel,” Heche lamented. “I asked if they have the case number, but they don’t. I asked if they have any letters from the court, but they don’t have.”
While the party’s plan to attend the funeral was announced on Friday, the party leader, Tundu Lissu, who is currently in detention following his treason charges, had tasked Heche to ensure that the party is represented in Kenya. Lissu used a few minutes during his trial session to emphasise that they must show up.
READ: Tanzanian Opposition Figure Godbless Lema Denied Exit at Border; Immigration Cites Standard Protocol
Heche, who has been leading the party since April 2025, when Lissu was arrested and detained on treason charges, assured Lissu that they would make sure to attend.
“These actions were done by colonialists, preventing someone from attending a funeral,” Heche said in a recorded video. “A great revolutionary leader has passed away, someone we regard as our leader and deeply respect. That is why we travelled.”
In the video, Heche is seen arguing with immigration officials, explaining that he is not wanted by authorities and that there is no official reason why he is being blocked from leaving the country.
READ: CHADEMA’s Senior Officials Arrested at Border Points Amid Travel Plans for Party Duties
“Stop intimidating me,” he is heard saying. “I haven’t done anything wrong. We have started multiparty in the country — you must tolerate that; you can not oppress people.”
“If the existence of multiparty is a crime, abolish them all and let us all be CCM,” he added. “You’re taking my passport, and you have no explanation. Tell me why you’re taking my passport.”
This is not the first time leaders of the opposition party CHADEMA have been denied exit. On July 12, 2025, the party’s Director of Communications and Publicity, Brenda Rupia, was blocked from exiting the country, detained at the Namanga border, and later transferred to Dar es Salaam.
READ: CHADEMA Deputy Secretary Amani Golugwa Arrested at Airport While Heading to IDU Forum in Brussels
Similarly, the CHADEMA Deputy Secretary was blocked from exiting the country on May 13, 2025, as he was heading to Germany to attend the International Democrat Union (IDU) Forum.
While opposition members were blocked on Saturday, a delegation from the Tanzanian government, headed by Vice President Philip Mpango, along with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including Minister Thabit Mhamoud Kombo, attended Friday’s funeral service at Nyayo Stadium.
Former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, as well as ruling party stalwart Rostam Aziz, also attended the funeral service.
