Tanzania’s CHADEMA Deputy Chairperson John Heche has revealed her devastation after being denied the opportunity to attend Raila Odinga’s funeral in Kenya scheduled for Sunday, October 18, 2025.

Taking to his X page moments after his party, Chadema confirmed his arrest and detention while en route to Kenya for the funeral. Heche lamented that he could not live with himself if he failed to attend the funeral.

The Member of Parliament for Tarime Rural revealed that Raila is his political mentor.

Deeply hurt

“Raila ni baba yangu, Ni mtu niliempenda na kujifunza mengi kwake kisiasa. Kunizuia kwenda kuhudhuria msiba wake ni tukio litakaloishi na mimi milele. Nimeumia sana . Pumzika kwa amani Baba.

Translated as: “Raila is my father, a person I loved and learned a lot from politically. Preventing me from attending his funeral is an event that will stay with me forever. I am deeply hurt.Rest in peace, Baba,”

News of Heche’s detention filtered through on Saturday, October 18, 2025. His party confirmed that Heche was stopped at around 2 p.m. by Tanzanian Immigration officials in Mara Region as he attempted to cross into Kenya.

The party said Heche was on his way to represent detained opposition leader Tundu Lissu at the funeral in Bondo, Siaya County.

“Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) kinapenda kuitangazia umma kuwa Serikali ya Chama Cha Mapinduzi, imemuweka kiziumzi Makamu Mwenyekiti, Mheshimiwa John Wegesa Heche,” the statement read.

“Mhe. Heche amekamatwa Saa Nane, mchana huu wa Jumatatu, Oktoba 18, 2025 mkoani Mara kwenye mpaka wa Tanzania na Kenya huko Isibania One Stop Border alipokuwa anakata kuingia Kenya. Ikumbukwe kuwa jana, tulitoa taarifa tukitanguliza umma kuwa Mhe. Heche atakwenda nchini Kenya kukiwa kilisha Chama hudhuria mazishi ya Mwanasisasa nguli wa Kenya, Raila Amolo Odinga.”

The party condemned the move, describing it as an attempt to deny Tanzanians the right to show solidarity with Kenyans mourning the late opposition leader.

Heche’s detention comes three months after Brenda Rupia, Chadema’s Director of Communications and Publicity, was also detained by Tanzanian authorities at the Namanga border while attempting to enter Kenya.

The opposition outfit has accused President Samia Suluhu of orchestrating political persecution against dissidents.