Tanzanian politician Godbless Lema, affiliated with the CHADEMA party, was reportedly prevented from crossing into Kenya on Friday, June 6, 2025.
In a statement shared on his social media platforms, Lema revealed that he was detained at the Kenya-Tanzania border for more than four hours before being informed that he was not permitted to enter Kenya.
He claimed that his passport was also confiscated in the process, and he was ordered to travel back to Arusha.
The former MP, who was travelling to Kenya for treatment, said he was in pain and had an appointment with his doctor in Nairobi.
According to a statement from the CHADEMA party, immigration officers told Godbless Lema that they were acting on “orders from above” when they blocked his entry into Kenya.
The party described this phrase as “deeply troubling,” suggesting it reflects the misuse of government authority to target political opponents.
Lema, a prominent critic of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, previously served as the Member of Parliament for Arusha City between 2010 and 2015. He has been actively involved in organizing political rallies and protests against the government.
In recent years, CHADEMA has come under increasing pressure from the state, facing arrests of its leaders and being barred from participating in elections.
