Tanzania Protests After 2025 Election Stall Kenyan Trade, Cross-Border Boda Boda Operations Halted
The recent political unrest in Tanzania is beginning to impact trade, with Kenyan business activities facing significant disruptions.
Protests following Tanzania’s 2025 presidential election have spilled over into commerce, leaving many Kenyan traders unable to conduct business across the border.
Tanzanian security forces have increased their presence at the Taveta-Holili border, complicating movement for Kenyan traders and boda boda riders. Allegations of corruption and bureaucratic delays have also emerged against border officials.
According to reports by Tuko, Kenyan traders said Tanzanian law enforcement officers have imposed harsh restrictions at the border, leaving them stranded and struggling. Kenyan authorities, however, do not restrict Tanzanian citizens from trading in Kenya.
Simon Mafusa, chairperson of the boda boda riders, confirmed that cross-border passenger transport has been severely affected. “Cross-border trade has stalled due to the heavy presence of Tanzanian soldiers,” Mafusa told The Standard. He added that Kenyan traders are subjected to arbitrary harassment, arrests, and trade limitations, with operations now restricted to before 6 pm.
Before the elections, riders regularly transported passengers to towns such as Moshi, Himo, and Nija Panda in Tanzania. “We have to return immediately after dropping off passengers at Holili. It is forbidden to idle or operate past 6 pm,” Mafusa said.
Tanzania’s 2025 Presidential Elections
Incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan was officially declared the winner of the general elections on October 29, 2025, with 97.66% of the vote.
Her victory was immediately disputed by opposition parties and criticized by international observers for lacking transparency and impartiality. Hassan’s win extends her tenure in the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party by five more years.
The announcement triggered widespread protests across Tanzania, marking one of the most volatile political periods in recent memory.
Violent demonstrations erupted in major cities, including Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Mwanza, as protesters demanded a rerun of the election and accused the ruling party of manipulating results. Security forces responded with tear gas and live ammunition.
Local media and eyewitnesses reported hundreds of injuries, with some claims suggesting fatalities reached into the thousands.
The government’s response, including imposed curfews to prevent gatherings, has drawn significant criticism.
Activists in Kenya have also condemned the East African Community (EAC) for remaining silent on the alleged killings of demonstrators.
Historically, Tanzania has been considered a model of regional stability, with peaceful power transitions and strong economic management.
Economic Impact of the Election
During the elections from October 29 to November 3, the Tanzanian government imposed an internet shutdown.
According to NetBlocks’ Cost of Shutdown Tool (COST), this outage cost the economy approximately $238 million (TSh560 billion), severely affecting digital services, trade, online healthcare, mobile payments, and production.
Analysts and civil rights organizations have noted this as part of a growing trend of internet restrictions during elections across Africa.
