PS Sing’Oei assures family of slain Kenyan teacher of swift repatriation process
The PS explained that the repatriation process had been slowed by delays in the swearing-in of key Tanzanian government officials following the election period.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei has assured the family of John Okoth Ogutu, a Kenyan teacher who was killed during post-election violence in Tanzania, that the government is committed to repatriating his remains as soon as they are located.
Ogutu, a teacher at Sky Schools in Kinondoni District, was shot dead on October 29, 2025, at around 7 pm in Goba Centre, Ubungo District, during the unrest that followed Tanzania’s October 29 presidential polls.
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Taking to X on Saturday, November 22, 2025, the Foreign Affairs PS confirmed having met the family of the slain teacher ahead of the repatriation process.
"Met the family of the late John Okoth Ogutu, a school teacher in Tanzania, who lost his life during the post-electoral disturbances in Dar Es Salaam. Assured them of the government’s commitment to finding and repatriating the remains of our late national," he said.
The PS explained that the repatriation process had been slowed by delays in the swearing-in of key Tanzanian government officials following the election period.
He noted that with the new cabinet now in place, Nairobi is optimistic that Dodoma will respond promptly to Kenya’s requests. The Kenyan Embassy in Dar es Salaam has also been providing the family with continuous updates on the case.
His statement follows an earlier briefing to Parliament by Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who disclosed that Kenya had demanded urgent action from Tanzania to help locate the teacher’s remains.
Mudavadi said the High Commission in Dar es Salaam, working alongside Sky Schools, had searched several hospital mortuaries across the city but had not found the body.
He added that the Ministry had immediately alerted Tanzanian authorities and sent a formal diplomatic request seeking intervention.
“I have also written to my counterpart, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the United Republic of Tanzania, seeking urgent assistance in resolving this matter,” Mudavadi told MPs, assuring them that the family would continue receiving consular support.
He affirmed that the government would facilitate repatriation once the remains are located and urged Tanzanian authorities to fast-track investigations into the killing.
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