JOHN HECHE, The Mainland Deputy Chairperson Of Chadema, Has Reportedly Crossed The Tanzania–Kenya Border At Sirari In Mara Region On The Evening Of Saturday, October 18, 2025, Following A Tense Standoff Between Tanzanian And Kenyan Immigration Officers.
According To A Source Close To Heche Who Was Present At The Border, The Incident Unfolded As The Opposition Leader Attempted To Cross Into Kenya To Attend The Funeral Of Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Scheduled For Sunday, October 19, 2025, In Bondo Village.
The Source Said Tanzanian Immigration Officers Initially Stopped Heche, Claiming He Was Facing A Court Case In Tanzania, And Therefore Should Not Be Allowed To Leave. However, Kenyan Officers Reportedly Demanded Official Court Documents As Proof Of The Restriction — Which The Tanzanian Side Failed To Provide.
“This Is A One Stop Center — Once Your Passport Is Stamped, You’re Already On The Kenyan Side,” The Source Explained. “Tanzanian Officers Claimed Heche Had A Case, But Their Kenyan Counterparts Asked For A Court Order. When None Was Presented, The Kenyan Officers Refused To Hand Him Over. As Night Fell, Kenyan Citizens Helped Escort Heche Away From The Border.”
The Source Added That Heche Is Now Safely In Kenya, Having Been Received By Locals At The Border Area.
Earlier, Chadema Had Issued A Statement Alleging That Tanzanian Immigration Officials Confiscated Heche’s Passport Without Providing A Clear Explanation.
As Of Press Time, Tanzanian Authorities Have Not Issued An Official Statement Regarding The Incident. Efforts To Reach Immigration Department Spokesperson SSI Paul Mselle And Government Spokesperson Gerson Msigwa For Clarification Were Unsuccessful, As Calls And Messages Went Unanswered.
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