Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, held consultations on Thursday with Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, to discuss the welfare of Kenyans living in Tanzania.
Mudavadi emphasized the need to safeguard the safety and security of all foreign nationals, including Kenyan citizens residing in Tanzania.
He noted that members of the Kenyan diaspora contribute significantly to Tanzania’s economic development through business and professional services.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary raised concerns over reported cases where the rights of some Kenyans had been violated.
He said these incidents had been formally presented to the Tanzanian government for action.
Mudavadi expressed appreciation for assurances from the Tanzanian authorities that all foreign residents engaging in lawful activities would continue to receive full protection under Tanzanian law.
Both Ministers agreed that any issues requiring intervention would be handled through established diplomatic and consular channels. The discussions were anchored on international protocols and the principles of the East African Community (EAC) Common Market Protocol.
Mudavadi reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to maintaining strong bilateral relations with Tanzania and to advancing the regional integration agenda under the EAC framework.
The two leaders underscored their shared determination to sustain the close cooperation that has long defined Kenya-Tanzania relations.
The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, through Kenya’s High Commission in Dar es Salaam, will continue offering consular services and support to Kenyan nationals in Tanzania.
On Wednesday, Human Rights Organisation Vocal Africa urged Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to look into the whereabouts of two Kenyan citizens reportedly missing in Tanzania after the country’s recent post-election unrest.
In a letter addressed to the Principal Secretary, the organisation expressed concern over the safety and welfare of the two individuals.
One of them was said to have died during the unrest, while the other was allegedly detained and remains unaccounted for in Dar es Salaam.
According to the organisation, the first individual, described as a teacher based in Dar es Salaam, was reportedly involved in an incident on October 29 when violence was said to have erupted in parts of Tanzania.
Vocal Africa noted that the family has been unable to trace his body, which they believe had earlier been taken to a morgue.
The second Kenyan was said to have been travelling to Zanzibar for work when, according to the organisation, he may have been taken into custody in Dar es Salaam on October 31.
Vocal Africa indicated that it was concerned the individual may not have had access to legal counsel or family communication, adding that this has heightened fears for his well-being.
