Tanzania, a nation typically known for its relative stability, has been plunged into chaos on its election day, with widespread protests, claims of a deeply flawed process, and a heavy security lockdown that has even extended to its borders with Kenya.
The crisis stems from widespread anger after key opposition candidates were barred from contesting the presidency, effectively leaving current President Samia Suluhu Hassan as the only strong contender. This move has sparked accusations of an unjust and pre-determined election, leaving many Tanzanians feeling disenfranchised.
Social media has been flooded with reports of erupting protests and deserted polling stations. One user posted claiming that “Polling stations remain deserted in Tanzania while several others have been destroyed.” Another post from the page “Kwa Jirani Sio Kuzuri!” described the scene as one of “chaos and protests,” confirming the volatile atmosphere.
The situation has taken a dramatic international turn, with a heavy police presence reported at all Kenya-Tanzania border points. The political tension escalated further when prominent Kenyan politician Martha Karua publicly called out President Samia Suluhu.
Kenya’s PLP Party leader Martha Karua stated, “There is no need for Samia Suluhu to block Kenyans from entering Tanzania today, we are coming as election observers, nothing much.” This statement suggests that Kenyan election observers are being intentionally prevented from entering the country to monitor the controversial polls, a move that has raised serious questions about the transparency of the entire electoral process.
As of now, the Tanzanian government has not released an official statement addressing the specific allegations of blocking Kenyan observers or the reports of destroyed polling stations. The world watches closely to see if the situation will de-escalate or if Tanzania is on the brink of a major political upheaval.
