Human rights lobby urges government to account for Kenyans affected by Tanzania election violence
Journalists and human rights groups have yet to confirm the number of post-election deaths so far, but the opposition, CHADEMA, has alleged that about 700 people have died.
Human rights lobby Vocal Africa on Monday asked President William Ruto’s administration to account for Kenyans who have been affected by Tanzania's election violence.
Vocal Africa Executive Director Hussein Khalid said the government should repatriate the bodies of Kenyans who may have been killed in the violence.
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“Instead of deafening silence on the fate of Kenyans in the Tanzania situation, the Kenyan government ought to be liaising with Dar es Salaam to report to the country on the safety of its citizens,” said Hussein.
A Kenyan was reportedly shot dead in Tanzania as protests broke out on Wednesday, October 29, during the country’s General Election.
Hussein said the deceased has been identified as John Okoth Ogutu, a teacher at Sky Schools in Tanzania.
Hussein said Ogutu was shot in Ubungo, Dar es Salaam, and that his body is currently lying at the Mwananyamala morgue.
John was working as a teacher at Sky Schools in Dar es Salaam. Despite the seemingly low turnout, Tanzania's electoral commission reported that President Samia Suluhu had won by a landslide with 97 per cent of votes, scooping 31.9 million votes out of the 32 million votes.
Hussein said the government should immediately liaise with Dar es Salaam to ascertain the exact number of Kenyans who have either lost their lives or been injured, to enable facilitation of any assistance needed.
On October 30, the day after the elections, police were forced to put an end to protests at the Namanga border, which even spread to Kenya. A group of Kenyans were prevented from entering Tanzania to participate in the demonstrations at the border.
Samia was sworn in as Tanzania’s President for a second term, in a ceremony that took place on Monday, at the military parade grounds in Dodoma, the nation’s capital.
Journalists and human rights groups have yet to confirm the number of post-election deaths so far, but the opposition, CHADEMA, has alleged that about 700 people have died.
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