The remains of two Kenyans who perished during election-related unrest in Tanzania have not been located yet. Two individuals, one of whom w...
The remains of two Kenyans who perished during election-related unrest in Tanzania have not been located yet.Two individuals, one of whom was an educator, were killed during the post-election unrest in Tanzania, with claims that officials have hidden corpses in unknown places.
Eight Kenyan citizens who were detained amid the unrest have now been set free, as stated by the authorities.
On Wednesday, Musalia Mudavadi, the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, stated that the government is working to locate the body of John Ogutu and that of another Kenyan whose identity remains unknown."I want to inform Kenyans about the situation of our citizens in Tanzania. Eight Kenyans who were detained in various police stations across Tanzania have been released. Three Kenyans are still being held, two in Arusha and one in Dar es Salaam," said Mudavadi during a press conference at the ministry's offices in Nairobi."However, there are two unresolved cases. One is a Kenyan named John Ogutu, who was shot dead on October 29 at around 7:00 pm in Goba Centre, Ubungo District in Dar es Salaam. He was a teacher at Sky Schools iHi Rabson. His body has not been found so far."Kenya has requested explanations from Tanzania regarding the fate of its citizens involved in the post-election violence, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs assuring Kenyans that they continue to monitor the situation.
The Tanzanian government is not disclosing the location where Ogutu's body was taken, while Mudavadi has assured the family of the deceased teacher that the government continues to investigate the issue. "After Tanzania's General Election on October 29, 2025, tensions emerged due to claims of foreign involvement by non-state actors from Kenya. Kenya acknowledges President Samia Suluhu Hassan's government and is dedicated to maintaining collaboration within the EAC framework," stated Mudavadi.
He mentioned that the Kenyan High Commission in Tanzania is open and willing to help Kenyans involved in the post-election violence, which has caused Tanzanians to search for their missing relatives."The Kenyan High Commission in Dar-es-Salaam keeps offering consular assistance, including handling visa amnesty applications and the return of affected citizens," Mudavadi stated.
Women in Darfur describe instances of sexual assault and the loss of their children amid the violence in Sudan, according to the UN. The Government stated it is actively working globally to ensure the security of Kenya's investments in Tanzania as well as safeguarding Tanzanian investments within Kenya. "Regarding the safety of Kenyans in Tanzania, we are closely collaborating with our counterparts in Tanzania, first and foremost, to ensure our investments are protected. There are numerous Kenyan companies that have invested in Tanzania, including in the financial and agricultural sectors," said Dr. Abraham Korir Sing'oei, Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs in Kenya.
Two Kenyan activists who had been taken in Uganda, Mr. Mudavadi mentioned that Kenya was involved in the discussions to free the human rights advocates Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, who have now been back with their families.“I want to let the country know that the Ministry closely watched the case of two missing Kenyan citizens, Mr. Bob Njagi and Mr. Nicholas Oyoo, who went missing on October 1, 2025,” said Mudavadi.“High-level diplomatic talks between Kenya and Uganda ultimately resulted in their release on Friday. They have since been reunited with their families.”Sleeping on the jobThe government rejected concerns that it was not doing its job and only playing a secondary role when it comes to safeguarding Kenyan human rights advocates in both Uganda and Tanzania, especially in Uganda where President Yoweri Museveni openly claimed putting the two in a "fridger".“Kenya has not lost its soul. That's why we are speaking openly about what is happening in Kenya,” said Mudavadi.
The government also assured President Museveni that Kenya will not prevent Uganda from accessing the Indian Ocean, even though Mudavadi did not clearly mention whether he would allow his navy to train on the shores of the Indian Ocean."We are aware of international agreements regarding landlocked countries and what we need to do is support them. Kenya is a responsible member of the international community and it is in our interest to help any landlocked country that wants to use the port of Mombasa," said Mudavadi."We have not refused any landlocked country access. And in any case, what would be the value of the port if it doesn't bring in revenue?"On Tuesday, during a radio interview as part of the presidential campaign, President Museveni warned about potential conflicts in the future if landlocked African countries continue to be denied access to the Indian Ocean.Read: Ruto on Suluhu's landslide victory: Such an event cannot occur in Kenya's democracyHe made a strong statement, asserting that Uganda is "entitled to access the Indian Ocean" through Kenya and warning that "future wars" could occur if this issue isn't resolved.
President Museveni highlighted that for many years, Uganda has been "excluded from what rightfully belongs to us," maintaining that Kenya should provide Uganda with direct access to the sea.
His remarks come after comparable comments from his son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who supported the assertion and cautioned about "major issues" if Kenya declines. "In Uganda, even if you want to establish a navy, how can you do it? We don't have access to the sea. The political structure in Africa is extremely illogical. Some nations lack access to the sea, not just for economic reasons but also for defense. You're trapped. How do I export my goods?" Museveni reportedly stated regarding Uganda's access to the Indian Ocean. "That's why we've had endless talks with Kenya. One issue ends, another arises. We discuss the railway and the pipeline. But that ocean is mine. It belongs to me. I have a right to that ocean. In the future, we will face conflicts." However, Mudavadi, who was joined by Dr Sing’Oei and PS Roseline Kathure Njogu, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, along with other senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, affirmed friendly relations with our neighbors during the Ministry's Third Quarterly Media engagement.
Mudavadi criticized the numerous instances of Kenyans facing difficulties overseas and accused certain unethical recruitment agencies of tricking Kenyans into human trafficking under the guise of job opportunities.“Although considerable progress has been achieved in Diaspora Diplomacy, we are also aware of vulnerabilities that put our citizens at risk due to unscrupulous foreign agents. The Government has successfully and safely brought back Kenyans from conflict-affected and high-risk areas,” said Mudavadi.“Notably, around 400 Kenyans have been deceived by dishonest agents with promises of well-paying jobs in the Far-East, such as in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Myanmar, only to find themselves working in conditions similar to modern-day slavery.”The issue of human trafficking in Southeast Asia, especially for Kenyans, has become a major and worrying problem, largely fueled by the increase in forced criminal activities within online scam centers.
It represents a complex threat where citizens are frequently deceived by fake job postings and agents based in locations such as Thailand, leading to their trafficking to Southeast Asia for exploitation. This includes forced labor, online fraud, illegal cryptocurrency activities, and the horrifying possibility of human organ harvesting. "Since July 2022, the Kenya Embassy in Bangkok has rescued and helped repatriate around 500 Kenyan victims. Currently, 126 Kenyans are waiting to be repatriated, with 69 in Thailand and 57 in Myanmar, while other groups are being held by armed groups," Mudavadi stated.
A news report focuses on the situation of a Kenyan individual who was detained at a Thai airport for using a counterfeit immigration stamp."Having been sent back from a scam operation in March 2025, he illegally entered Thailand again to work for a Chinese-owned scam company in Myanmar. Following a raid, he was arrested as he tried to return home. This case illustrates that some victims are not entirely innocent but are involved in the criminal network," stated Mudavadi.
He further revealed that more than 430,000 Kenyans have been working overseas since 2023.
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