There was tension at the Isebania-Sirare One Stop Border Post on Saturday evening after a Tanzanian opposition leader was detained by the country’s immigration officials.
Mr John Heche, the deputy chairperson of the Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) party, was on his way to Bondo, Siaya County, to attend the burial of Raila Odinga.
He was, however, barred from crossing into Kenya, leading to tension when his supporters demanded that he be released.
A large crowd that had gathered at the immigration office later managed to pull him out when his passport was confiscated by immigration officials at the border.
Kuria West Police Commander Dominic Korir told Daily Nation that he is yet to confirm whether the politician attended Mr Odinga’s burial.
"I cannot tell whether he crossed the border or not. The incident happened in Tanzania," he said.
Mr Korir said he was attending a security meeting when signals were sent to security officers about what was happening across the border.
He, however, said Mr Heche is a man known by people across the border and commands a huge following.
“I have also been informed that he went to one of the schools in Kenya. He is known by many people across the border," the police commander said.
In videos shared on social media, Mr Heche is seen confronting immigration officials whom he accused of unlawfully confiscating his passport.
A portrait of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is placed next to his coffin during a funeral Mass at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology in Bondo, Siaya County, Kenya, October 19, 2025.
Photo credit: Thomas Mukoya | Reuters
In one of the videos, Mr Heche tells immigration officials that he chose to cooperate by using the correct route to leave Tanzania.
"This is a porous border and I could have chosen a different route and you would not have seen me. I would have gone to Bondo and come back without you seeing me. I am not a criminal, I am a leader," he said.
The coffin of Kenya's former Prime Minister Raila Odinga lies in the grave surrounded by floral wreaths during his burial at the Kang'o Ka Jaramogi in Bondo, Siaya County on October 19, 2025.
Photo credit: Reuters
The opposition leader claimed that he was aware that there were plans to detain him. He accused Tanzanian leaders, whom he did not name, of being behind the incident. He claimed that the leaders were against multiparty democracy in the country.
In one of the videos, an immigration official is seen trying to calm him down with a promise of clearing him to cross the border. Another video shows a large crowd marching along a road.
In the video, one person is heard saying they managed to take Mr Heche away and that the police were planning to harm him.
