Three Kenyans Held After Tanzania Election Violence

Three Kenyan nationals are still being held by police in Tanzania as diplomatic actions are ongoing to obtain their release, following the e...

Three Kenyan nationals are still being held by police in Tanzania as diplomatic actions are ongoing to obtain their release, following the election-related tensions that emerged after Tanzania's contested general election on October 29.

At the Third Quarterly Media Briefing on Kenya's Foreign Policy held at the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs headquarters in Nairobi on Wednesday, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi stated that eight Kenyans who were initially held in various locations across Tanzania have been set free.

"Three Kenyans remain in custody — two at the Arusha police station and one at the Dar es Salaam police station," Mudavadi stated.

The Kenyan High Commission based in Dar es Salaam remains committed to offering consular assistance, such as processing visa amnesty applications and facilitating the return of affected nationals.

The three Kenyans currently in detention have been named as Samuel Kagila and Stephen Ndung'u Kimani in Arusha, and George Madila Odhiambo in Dar es Salaam.

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Mudavadi also revealed that two cases are still pending, including the murder of Kenyan teacher John Ogutu, who was shot and killed on October 29 at approximately 7 p.m. in Goba Centre, Ubungo District, Dar es Salaam.

"Mr. Ogutu worked as a teacher at Sky Schools iHi Rabson. His body remains unlocated to this day," the Prime CS stated.

An unresolved matter concerns Albert Kamala, a national of both Kenya and Tanzania, whose location is still unknown as investigations continue.

Mudavadi pledged to Kenyans that Nairobi still acknowledges President Samia Suluhu Hassan's government and is dedicated to working together under the East African Community (EAC) structure.

"Kenya acknowledges the administration of President Samia Suluhu Hassan and is dedicated to working together within the East African Community framework," he stated.

Tension

The recent changes occur against a backdrop of increased tensions after Tanzania's general election, which was characterized by extensive protests, large-scale detentions, and claims of external involvement.

At her inauguration in Dodoma, President Suluhu pledged to protect Tanzania's independence "by any means and at any price," blaming "external influences" for inciting violence after the election.

"It wasn't unexpected for us to witness that some individuals arrested for inciting unrest were from beyond our borders," President Suluhu stated.

Her comments faced strong backlash from regional human rights groups, such as VOCAL Africa, Defenders Coalition, and Amnesty International Kenya, who cautioned that these statements might fuel xenophobia and put Kenyans residing in Tanzania at risk.

In a shared statement released recently, the organizations asked the Tanzanian authorities to uphold human rights and requested Kenya to safeguard its nationals overseas.

The statement said these claims are baseless and pose significant dangers to the safety of Kenyans and other foreigners.

The Kenyan government has a clear responsibility to safeguard its citizens overseas and seek justice when their rights are breached.

Human rights organizations also demanded an independent inquiry into the death of John Ogutu and the liberation of arrested Kenyans, cautioning that they would pursue remedies via the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) and the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) if justice is not delivered.

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Tagged: Kenya, Tanzania, Legal and Judicial Affairs, Governance, East Africa

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