The chaos has not only shaken the country but has also begun to affect neighboring Kenya, where several businesses are feeling the impact of the unrest.
According to reports from traders at the Namanga and Taveta borders, movement of goods has slowed down after Tanzanian authorities imposed a night curfew and shut down internet services.
Many Kenyan truck drivers and clearance agents have been left stranded for days, unable to process cargo or communicate with their clients due to system failures.
A clearance agent at Taveta, Paul Wambua, said operations came to a halt after customs systems went offline.
“We can’t clear goods or vehicles, and many drivers are frustrated. There’s no extra security, but everything has stopped,” he said.
The interruption has created long queues of lorries waiting to cross, leaving traders counting heavy losses.
At Namanga, tension escalated after Tanzanian police clashed with youth attempting to cross into Kenya. Witnesses claim police fired live bullets and tear gas, killing two people — a Tanzanian trader and a Kenyan businessman.
Their deaths sparked outrage from residents on both sides of the border, forcing Kenyan police to intervene and calm the situation.
The protests in Tanzania started after preliminary election results showed President Samia Suluhu Hassan leading with wide margins, a result opposition supporters have rejected.
The main opposition party, Chadema, had earlier been disqualified from the race after refusing to sign the electoral code of conduct. Its leader, Tundu Lissu, now faces treason charges after calling for nationwide demonstrations.
Major cities including Dar es Salaam, Arusha, and Mwanza remain under heavy police presence. Diplomats say at least ten people have been killed since the violence began, though official confirmation is yet to be released.
In Kenya, border businesses are urging the East African Community to intervene before the crisis spreads further.
“If this continues, trade will collapse. We rely on Tanzania for fuel and fresh produce,” said one trader.
