Eight Kenyans released, three remain detained in Tanzania after election unrest - Mudavadi

The unrest in Tanzania, which erupted across major cities and border towns, has disrupted trade routes, triggered fuel shortages in neighbouring countries, and raised regional concerns over stability and governance. (Photo: DW)

By Rachael Mutabasi
Wednesday, November 12, 2025

The arrests and detentions followed post-election violence in the country, which left one Kenyan teacher shot dead and led to hundreds of deaths and injuries, according to local reports.

Eight Kenyans arrested across Tanzania have been released, while three others remain in custody, two in Arusha and one in Dar es Salaam, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has confirmed.

The three Samuel Kagila, a tour operator, Stephen Ndung'u, a businessman, and George Madila Odiambo were arrested and detained following post-election violence in the country, which left one Kenyan teacher shot dead and led to hundreds of deaths and injuries, according to local reports.

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Addressing journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters during his Third Quarterly media briefing on Wednesday, Mudavadi said the government continues to closely monitor the situation in Tanzania following its October 29 General Election, which triggered tensions over perceived foreign interference by non-state actors from Kenya.

He confirmed that John Ogutu, a teacher at Sky Schools in Dar es Salaam, was shot dead at Goba Centre in Ubungo District during the unrest.

Ogutu’s body has remained missing since the incident, and the government says efforts are ongoing to locate it.

"The body of Ogutu has not been traced to date,” Mudavadi said.

“We are engaging the Tanzanian authorities through our High Commission in Dar es Salaam to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting and ensure justice for the victim’s family.”

The Prime Cabinet Secretary added that Nairobi continues to provide consular support, including visa amnesty requests and repatriation assistance to affected citizens.

“The safety and welfare of Kenyans abroad is a priority for our ministry. We are following up on every individual case to ensure their rights are respected,” Mudavadi said.

Despite the tensions, Kenya reaffirmed its commitment to regional cooperation. Mudavadi said the country recognises President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration and remains committed to collaboration under the East African Community framework, guided by principles of mutual respect and non-interference.

Meanwhile, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has urged investigations into the killings and other violations committed during the October 29 elections in Tanzania, as reports emerged that bodies may have been taken by security forces to undisclosed locations.

Information obtained by the UN Human Rights Office from various sources in Tanzania suggests that hundreds of protesters and other people were killed, with an unknown number injured or detained. The Office said it has been unable to independently verify the figures due to the volatile security situation and the Internet shutdown that followed the vote.

“Reports of families desperately searching everywhere for their loved ones, visiting one police station after another and one hospital after another, are harrowing. I strongly urge the Tanzanian authorities to provide information about the fate and whereabouts of all those missing, and to hand over the bodies of those killed to their loved ones so that they can be given dignified burials,” said Türk.

“There are also disturbing reports that security forces have been seen removing bodies from streets and hospitals and taking them to undisclosed locations in an apparent attempt to conceal evidence.”