Siaya County Governor James Orengo has praised Tanzanians who have honoured Kenya’s former Prime Minister, the late Raila Odinga, as the country grapples with a post-election crisis.

Before his demise on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, Raila Odinga was renowned for shelving personal interest and putting his country first in such scenarios.

Orengo stands in solidarity

However, amid the chaos, Orengo has chosen to stand in solidarity with Tanzanians as demos persist. The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) governor has also asked regional leaders to cross-examine themselves while in leadership.

”I wish to express solidarity with and support for the valiant men and women of Tanzania. East African leaders must introspect. Glad to see portraits of Raila Odinga flying high in Dar, appreciating his progressive stance as opposed to a status quo leader. The people of Tanzania will overcome,” Orengo took to X on Saturday, November 1, 2025.

Suluhu declared President

Orengo’s sentiments come shortly after Tanzania’s electoral commission declared on Saturday, November 1, 2025, that President Samia Suluhu Hassan had won, with nearly 98% of the votes, an election that set off violent protests across the country this week.

The result hands Hassan, who took power in 2021 after the death in office of her predecessor, a five-year term to govern the East African country of 68 million people.

Protests erupted on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, for the presidential and parliamentary elections, with some demonstrators tearing down banners of Hassan and setting fire to government buildings and police firing teargas and gunshots, according to witnesses.

Demonstrators are angry about the electoral commission’s exclusion of Hassan’s two biggest challengers from the race and what they described as widespread repression.

Meanwhile, the Platform for African Democrats (PAD) has expressed deep concern over the safety and well-being of Tanzanian opposition leaders Tundu Lissu and John Heche, calling for their immediate and unconditional release.

PAD condemns opposition’s detention

In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, PAD condemned what it termed as the ongoing repression of democratic voices in Tanzania ahead of the country’s general elections scheduled for Wednesday, October 29, 2025.

John Heche, the Deputy Chairman of Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA, was reportedly arrested on October 22, 2025, with his whereabouts and condition remaining unknown. PAD raised alarm over his disappearance, stating that it indicates possible ill-treatment and denial of due process by Tanzanian authorities.

“We call on authorities to demonstrate publicly that Heche is being treated humanely, with respect and dignity,” the statement read, further urging authorities to disclose the reasons for his detention and allow him access to legal counsel and family.

Tundu Lissu, CHADEMA’s Chairman and a long-time critic of the ruling government, has been in custody since April 9, 2025. He faces charges of treason and publishing false information—accusations widely viewed as politically motivated. PAD condemned the charges as a “dangerous weaponisation of the law” meant to stifle dissent.