Tanzanian Opposition Leader Godbless Lema Blocked From Travelling to Kenya

 

By Ernest Bandi

 Senior opposition figure Godbless Lema, a top official in Tanzania’s main opposition party CHADEMA, has been blocked from travelling to Kenya for a scheduled medical check-up, in what the party describes as a politically motivated move ahead of the country’s general elections later this year.

Lema, a former Member of Parliament and outspoken critic of the ruling establishment, was stopped on Saturday at the Namanga border post between Tanzania and Kenya, where immigration officers reportedly informed him that all CHADEMA officials had been banned from leaving the country.

“My passport has been taken, and I am required to return home to Arusha. To obtain further information, I must visit the Immigration Headquarters in Dodoma,” Lema posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account shortly after the incident.

According to CHADEMA, the move is part of a broader campaign by the government to restrict the party’s visibility and influence abroad, particularly as Tanzania prepares for highly contested national elections.

In an official statement, CHADEMA said the immigration officers told Lema they were acting on "orders from above," implying that the directive came from senior government leadership. The party condemned the action as a violation of fundamental rights, including freedom of movement and access to medical care.

“Blocking our officials from travelling without lawful reason is not just unconstitutional, it is part of a worrying trend of political suppression as the elections draw near,” read part of CHADEMA’s statement.

The Tanzanian government has yet to issue an official explanation for the travel ban or comment on the accusations by the opposition party.

This development adds to rising political tensions in the country, where opposition parties have increasingly complained of state surveillance, arbitrary arrests, and other forms of intimidation. Civil society groups and international observers have previously raised concerns about shrinking democratic space in Tanzania, particularly during election seasons.

Lema, who spent time in exile in Kenya during the previous administration, is one of CHADEMA’s most prominent voices and was expected to engage with regional partners during his Nairobi visit.

With the general elections approaching, CHADEMA has vowed to push back against what it describes as an emerging authoritarian crackdown on dissent. Human rights watchdogs and observers are closely monitoring the situation as concerns grow over Tanzania’s democratic trajectory.

June 08, 2025