Ujasusi Blog’s East Africa Monitoring Team | 19 October 2025 | 0235 BST
📍 Tanzania Arrests CHADEMA Deputy Leader at Border En Route to Kenya
Tanzanian opposition figure John Wegesa Heche, Deputy Chairperson of CHADEMA, was arrested on 18 October 2025 at the Isibania One Stop Border Post while attempting to cross into Kenya to attend the funeral of the late former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga.
Heche, a former MP and a senior opposition leader, was scheduled to lead a delegation representing CHADEMA and its detained party leader, Tundu Lissu, who is currently facing treason charges and barred from international travel. The delegation was en route to Bondo, Siaya County, where the funeral is scheduled to take place on Sunday, 19 October 2025.
According to an official statement issued by CHADEMA’s Communications and Publicity Director, Brenda Rupia, Heche was detained by Tanzanian immigration authorities without prior notice, and his passport was confiscated. No official explanation has been provided by the government.
CHADEMA has accused the ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration of using border control as a tool of political repression. The party insists that Heche was on a humanitarian mission to pay respects to a regional statesman and that the move violated his constitutional right to travel, specifically Article 17(1) of the Tanzanian Constitution.
📍 Tundu Lissu Denied Permission to Travel
Earlier this week, detained opposition leader Tundu Lissu requested permission from the Dodoma court to attend the funeral of his longtime associate Raila Odinga. Lissu made an emotional appeal during court proceedings, stating:
“I appeal to you to allow me to attend the funeral of my friend Raila in Kenya. Even if it means travelling in handcuffs to and fro, please allow me to see Raila’s body.”
Permission was denied, prompting Lissu to designate Heche as his representative. The delegation also included Godbless Lema, former MP and CHADEMA’s diaspora envoy, and Boniface Jacob, a regional leader from Tanzania’s coastal zone.
📍 CHADEMA Condemns Arrest as Persecution
Brenda Rupia’s statement read:
“The Government of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi Party has detained the Party’s Deputy Chairperson, Honourable John Wegesa Heche. Preventing Hon. Heche from travelling to convey condolences to the people of Kenya denies citizens of that country their right to receive sympathy in times of tragedy.”
She further demanded his immediate and unconditional release, warning that such actions represent a continuing trend of harassment against opposition leaders and undermine Tanzania’s international image.
📍 Context of the Funeral
The death of Raila Odinga has triggered an outpouring of grief across East Africa. His funeral is expected to draw thousands, including international dignitaries. The arrest of a Tanzanian opposition leader en route to the ceremony adds an unexpected diplomatic layer to the mourning process.
As of this publication, John Heche remains in detention and his passport has not been returned. CHADEMA officials say they are engaging legal teams to secure his release.
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