Tanzanian former Member of Parliament Godbless Lema has flown out of Kenya destined for Canada accompanied by his family after he was granted political asylum. 

Lema left Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Thursday after staying in Nairobi with his wife and three children since he fled Tanzania through the border fearing for his life. 

His lawyer George Wajackoyah confirmed that, in deed, Canada gave the former legislator political asylum after United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) intervened. 

He said, “I want to thank President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Kenyan government for being an observer of human rights. 

Lema applied for asylum in Canada through the help of UNHCR, Kenya Human Rights Group and Amnesty International after he expressed fears Tanzanian authorities were after him. 

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The former Arusha Urban Constituency MP was arrested by Tanzanian police alongside other politicians after the October 28 presidential election before being released without any charge. 

Chadema presidential candidate Tundu Lissu sought asylum in Belgium over fears for his life as President John Magufuli was sworn in for a second time on November 5 amid a political crackdown by Tanzania.