Border Drama as Kenyans Rescue Detained Tanzanian Opposition Leader at Night

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Tags: CHADEMA, John Henche

Border Drama as Kenyans Rescue Detained Tanzanian Opposition Leader at Night

Zipporah Odionyi October 18, 2025

Kenyans have freed Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) Vice Chairman John Henche, whom the Police had apprehended at the Tanzania-Kenya border at Isibania One Stop Border while he was trying to enter Kenya.

Henche was on his way to Bondo for the burial of Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

In footage seen by Hivileo, Henche was reportedly rescued by the people after claims that he was safe at the border.

Some people were walking on foot, while others were riding on motorcycles.

Some of the people among the crowd can also be heard shouting “this is Kenya”.

“The people have rescued John Hence, and he is among the people. They are moving away with him on foot. There are many people, and they have started to escape with him on foot. The people have taken him because there was a sense of insecurity where he was,” said the person who reported the video.

CHADEMA John Henche Detention

In an earlier notice, CHADEMA said the Tanzanian government had detained Heche.

The Party said Heche was arrested at 2:00 PM on Saturday in Mara Region on the Tanzania-Kenya border.

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“It should be recalled that yesterday, we issued a statement informing the public that Heche will travel to Kenya to represent the Party to attend the funeral of Kenyan politician, Raila Odinga,” CHADEMA said.

CHADEMA said in addition to detaining Hench, the Tanzanian Immigration Authority had confiscated his passport without explaining why they had taken this decision.

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“Preventing Heche from going to offer condolences to Kenyans is depriving the citizens of that country of their right to be comforted when they are beset by various disasters, including calamities,” read the statement.

“We call on the Tanzanian Government to immediately release HHeche and stop harassing the leaders of our Party, robbing them of their right to leave the country and enter as stated in Article 17(1) of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania.”

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