A former Tanzanian opposition MP Godbless Lema has been granted asylum in Canada. He had fled to Kenya through the Lungalunga border and was briefly detained before being allowed into the country.

His Kenyan lawyer George Wajackoyah has been quoted by local media as saying that Mr Lema left the country on Wednesday night.

Mr Lema arrived in Kenya last month accompanied by his wife and three children. He fled shortly after the Tanzania elections in October in which President John Magufuli was declared the winner. His main challenger Tundu Lissu disputed the result.

Mr Lissu fled to Belgium, saying his life was in danger.