Pressure is mounting on Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan to release opposition leader John Heche, whose whereabouts remain unknown following his alleged arrest by Tanzanian authorities.
According to Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Heche, the Deputy Chairman of Tanzania’s opposition party CHADEMA, was planning to attend the funeral of Kenya’s late opposition leader Raila Odinga before being detained.
“John Heche, Deputy Chairman of the CHADEMA party, was supposed to attend the funeral of Baba Raila Amolo Odinga, as he has been his long-time friend,” Sifuna shared on social media. “He was humiliated and detained at the border by the Tanzanian government. His whereabouts are currently unknown, as he was taken away by the police while following up on the Tundu Lissu case.”
Sifuna urged the Tanzanian government to either release Heche or charge him in court in Tarime, as his family had been informed earlier.
Heche’s arrest reportedly occurred on Wednesday while he attempted to attend the treason trial of his party leader, Tundu Lissu, who has been in custody since April after calling for election reforms.
Speaking to the BBC, Heche’s brother, Edward Heche, revealed that the family has been unable to locate him. “I contacted Tarime Police to confirm whether he has been brought here to be charged, but we were told he has not been brought and there’s no official report that he will be,” he said.
CHADEMA’s Legal Director, Gaston Garubindi, confirmed that Heche was arrested in court for unspecified charges. In response, the Heche family has issued an ultimatum to Tanzanian authorities to produce him, warning they will mobilise citizens to search for him if he is not released.
The incident has drawn widespread criticism online, with many Kenyans urging President Suluhu to uphold human rights and ensure Heche’s safe release.
