Godbless Lema, a prominent opposition politician in Tanzania and a senior member of the CHADEMA party, was reportedly blocked from crossing into Kenya for medical treatment on Friday, June 6, 2025.
In a message posted on his social media pages, Lema revealed that he was detained at the Kenya-Tanzania border for more than four hours.
After the long delay, he said, border authorities informed him that he would not be allowed to proceed into Kenya. His passport was also seized during the incident, and he was ordered to return to Arusha.
Lema, who previously served as a Member of Parliament representing Arusha City from 2010 to 2015, stated that he was in severe pain and had a scheduled appointment with his doctor in Nairobi. However, due to the travel ban, he could no longer attend the consultation.
“I have been told to go back to Arusha and later present myself at the immigration offices in Dodoma for further details.
I am in great pain, and I had a medical appointment in Nairobi. But now, I cannot go because they’ve stopped me from travelling,” Lema said.
According to a statement released by CHADEMA, Tanzanian immigration officials informed Lema that they were simply acting “on orders from above.” The party condemned the action, describing it as an abuse of state authority to settle political scores.
“This phrase—’orders from above’—is very worrying. It suggests the misuse of government power to target political opponents,” the party’s statement read.
Godbless Lema has long been a fierce critic of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party. In addition to his time in parliament, he has played an active role in organizing protests and political rallies, challenging what he sees as growing authoritarianism in Tanzania.
In recent years, the CHADEMA party has faced intensifying pressure from the government. Several of its leaders have been arrested, and the party has sometimes been blocked from participating in elections.
These challenges have raised serious concerns about the state of political freedom and democracy in the country.
The incident involving Lema has only added to fears that opposition voices in Tanzania are being systematically silenced.
The move is being seen by many as part of a broader campaign to limit the rights of opposition politicians and prevent them from operating freely, even when their activities are unrelated to politics—such as seeking medical care.
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