- Tanzanian authorities detained opposition figure John Wegesa Heche at the Isibania Border Post as he prepared to cross into Kenya for Raila Odinga’s burial
- CHADEMA accused the government of political persecution after Heche’s passport was seized and his travel to Kenya was abruptly blocked
- Heche was to lead a party delegation representing CHADEMA’s detained leader, Tundu Lissu, who was denied permission to travel due to ongoing treason charges
- Lissu, speaking from court, made an emotional plea to attend Raila’s funeral, asking to be allowed to travel even under guard
Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Tanzanian opposition leader John Wegesa Heche has been arrested and detained at the Isibania One Stop Border Post.
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The opposition leader was reportedly held as he attempted to cross into Kenya for the burial of former prime minister Raila Amolo Odinga.
Heche, the Deputy Chairperson of Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA, was detained by Tanzanian authorities around 2pm while preparing to lead a delegation to represent the party at Raila’s funeral in Bondo, Siaya county, on Sunday, October 19.
In a statement issued later that afternoon, CHADEMA confirmed the arrest, accusing the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and President Samia Suluhu’s government of political persecution.
The party said immigration officers not only detained Heche but also confiscated his passport without explanation.
“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,” CHADEMA’s Director of Communication and Publicity, Brenda Rupia, said.
Rupia demanded Heche’s immediate release, insisting that the move violated his constitutional right to travel, as guaranteed under Article 17(1) of Tanzania’s Constitution.
“We call upon the Government of Tanzania to release Hon. Heche immediately and to stop harassing our party leaders by depriving them of their constitutional right to leave and enter the country,” Rupia added.
Who was Heche’s delegation representing?
Heche’s arrest came after CHADEMA announced that he would lead a team of senior party officials to Raila’s burial.
The team included former MP Godbless Lema and Boniface Jacob, a regional party leader from the Coast.
Their mission was to represent CHADEMA’s detained party leader, Tundu Lissu, who is currently facing treason charges in a Dodoma court.
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Lissu reportedly handpicked the delegation after being denied permission to travel to Kenya.
According to party officials, the decision followed discussions between Lissu and Heche during a court session.
Lissu had made an emotional appeal to President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the judiciary to allow him to attend Raila’s burial.
“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,” Lissu pleaded during the hearing.
How did Magufuli’s daughter mourn Raila
In a related report, Jesca Magufuli, daughter of the late Tanzanian president John Pombe Magufuli, paid tribute to Raila Odinga following his death.
She shared a video of a visit she made to Odinga and his wife earlier this year.
During the visit, Raila offered her a blessing on her political journey and expressed a wish for her success in Tanzania.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
