One of Tanzania’s top opposition officials, Godbless Lema, has reportedly been barred from leaving the country and held in custody at the Kenya-Tanzania border in Namanga.
Godbless Jonathan Lema posted on the social media platforms of Friday, the 6th of June 2025 that he was on his way to Nairobi, Kenya but got stuck at the Namanga Border in Longido District.
Lema, who is a member of the Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) party, but lives in Arusha City, was travelling to Kenya as he usually do, but upon reaching the One Stop Border Post (OSBP) at Namanga, things took a dramatic twist.
“Immigration officials were scanning my travel documents when suddenly one of the officials at the border appeared and informed me that they cannot process my exit request,” stated Lema.
According to Lema, it seems all entry and exit points in the country have received directives not to allow any known member, or official of the leading opposition party, to travel outside Tanzania, from now until further notice.
But upon being informed of the new developments, Lema refused to Burge, demanding an explanation.
“I am still here at the Namanga border awaiting response from top officials in the government,” explained the charismatic politician.
Lema revealed that he was on his way to Nairobi for medical treatment and being refused exit left him with even more pain, both physically and mentally.
In a statement released hours later, the spokesperson of the Tanzania Immigration Service Department, Paul J. Mselle admitted that Mr Lema’s passport has been confiscated, pending further directives.
According to Mselle, the politician is also required to report to the Immigration Headquarters in Dar-es-salaam.
Other than being a high ranking figure in his political party, Godbless Lema has also served as the Member of Parliament for the Arusha-Urban Constituency from the year 2010 to 2020, when he was forced to flee to Canada, fearing for his life.