Kenya is pressing Tanzanian authorities to locate a citizen who was reportedly killed during post-election unrest, as concerns rise over the safety of nationals living in the neighboring country.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi confirmed on Wednesday that John Ogutu, a Kenyan teacher at Sky Schools in Dar es Salaam, was shot on October 29, 2025, at about 7 pm in Goba Centre, Ubungo District.
“Mr. Ogutu was shot dead on 29th October around 7.00 p.m. in Goba Centre, Ubungo District in Dar es Salaam. He was a teacher at Sky Schools iHi Rabson. His body has not been traced to date,” Mudavadi said.
The incident occurred during a period of heightened tensions following Tanzania’s general election, which was overshadowed by unrest and allegations of interference by non-state actors, including some from Kenya. Mudavadi emphasized that the Kenyan High Commission in Dar es Salaam is providing full consular support, assisting citizens with visa amnesty applications and repatriation where necessary.
He reported that eight Kenyans who had been detained following the unrest have been released, while three others remain in custody—two in Arusha and one in Dar es Salaam.
“I would like to update Kenyans on the status of our citizens in Tanzania. Eight Kenyans arrested in different police stations across Tanzania have been released. Three Kenyans are still being held, two in Arusha and one in Dar es Salaam police stations. However, there are two unresolved cases,” Mudavadi explained.
The three still in custody are Samuel Kagila, a tour operator; Stephen Ndung’u, a businessman; and George Madila Odiambo. Their arrests followed the unrest that reportedly left hundreds dead or injured, including the Kenyan teacher who was shot.
During his Third Quarterly media briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mudavadi said the Kenyan government is monitoring the situation closely and engaging Tanzanian authorities to clarify the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
“The body of Ogutu has not been traced to date,” he 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.”
Mudavadi stressed that Nairobi continues to provide support for all affected citizens abroad, ensuring their rights are upheld. “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,” he said.
Despite ongoing tensions, Kenya reaffirmed its commitment to regional engagement. “Kenya recognizes President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration and remains committed to cooperation under the EAC framework,” Mudavadi stated, highlighting the principles of respect and non-interference.
Meanwhile, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has urged investigations into the killings and other violations during Tanzania’s elections. Reports suggest that security forces may have moved bodies to undisclosed locations, while hundreds of protesters were reportedly killed, injured, or detained.
“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,” Türk said.
“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.”
The Kenyan government continues to engage Tanzanian authorities to locate John Ogutu’s remains and safeguard citizens, highlighting ongoing regional concerns over post-election unrest and cross-border security.
