The protests that rocked Tanzania in the wake of its presidential election have spilled over to commerce, as Kenyan businesses have reported being unable to conduct trade with Tanzania.
Tanzanian security agents are now more hands-on at the Taveta-Holili border between both countries, making it difficult for Kenyan traders and boda boda riders to move freely.
Allegations of corruption and bureaucratic delays have been leveled against these officials.
As reported by Tuko, Kenyan traders said that when Tanzanian law enforcement officers placed harsh limitations on them at the border, they were left to suffer alone.
Kenyan authorities, however, do not obstruct Tanzanian citizens from doing business in Kenya.
Simon Mafusa, the boda boda riders’ chairperson, noted that they are unable to carry passengers across the border town of Holili.
“Cross-border trade has stalled due to the heavy presence of Tanzanian soldiers,” Mafusa said, as reported by The Standard.
The Boda Boda chairperson pointed out that, in contrast to their Tanzanian counterparts, traders are subject to arbitrary harassment, arrests, and trade restrictions, and operations are now limited to before 6 pm.
Prior to the Tanzanian elections, riders transported people to Moshi, Himo, and Nija Panda in Tanzania.
We have to go back as soon as we drop off passengers at Holili. It is forbidden to idle there and to operate after 6 pm,” Mafusa added.
Tanzania’s 2025 presidential elections
With an official total of 97.66% of the vote, Samia Suluhu Hassan, the incumbent president of Tanzania, was declared the winner of the general elections on October 29, 2025.
The election result was instantly disputed by the opposition and denounced by international observers for a lack of openness and impartiality.
Her victory gives her five more years to serve in the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party.
Following Samia’s win, significant protests broke out across the country, resulting in one of the country’s most volatile political events in recent memory.
Violent protests erupted in numerous major towns, including Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Mwanza.
Protesters flocked to the streets, demanding a rerun of the election and accusing the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), of manipulating the voting process to assure Hassan’s victory.
Security officers responded with force, using tear gas and live bullets to disperse the throng.
Several witnesses and local media said that hundreds were injured, with some reports claiming that the fatalities are in the thousands.
The government’s handling of the protests has been widely criticised. In an attempt to prevent demonstrations, Tanzanian authorities enforced curfews.
Activists in neighboring Kenya criticized the East African Community (EAC) for being silent on the alleged killings of demonstrators in Tanzania.
Tanzania has traditionally been recognized as one of the region’s most stable countries, with peaceful power transfers and sound economic management.
According to data from the NetBlocks Cost of Shutdown Tool (COST), Tanzania’s economy lost a staggering $238 million (TSh560 billion) as a result of a week-long internet outage.
Days before the nation’s general election, the blackout severely hampered digital services, trade, and production while interfering with online healthcare and mobile payments.
It has been called out by analysts and civil rights organizations as part of an increasing trend of internet restrictions during election seasons in other parts of Africa.
