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Kenya demands answers over citizens in Tanzania

Friday, November 07, 2025

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Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.

Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group

By Mercy Simiyu

Correspondent

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What you need to know:

The demand follows reports of Kenyans in the neighbouring country living in fear due to threats of victimisation.
There are reports of Kenyans seeking assistance from the High Commission in Dar es Salaam to return home.

Kenya has demanded answers from Tanzania on the fate of its citizens caught up in the post-election violence.

The government has asked Tanzania to guarantee the safety of Kenyans and take action against any infringement of their rights.

The demand follows reports of Kenyans in the neighbouring country living in fear due to threats of victimisation on suspicion of taking part in the protests witnessed during and after the October 29 general election.

Kenyan families raised concerns about the safety of their relatives in Tanzania as reports emerged that an unknown number had been killed, injured, detained or were nursing injuries inflicted by security officers.

A family of one Kenyan went public on Monday, saying it had credible information that a relative – a teacher in Dar es Salaam – was killed but the body could not be traced.

Angeline Juma Ogutu holds John Ogutu's photo in Siaya County.

Photo credit: Elizabeth Ojina | Nation

Kenyans have been caught up in a crackdown announced by police and President Samia Suluhu Hassan targeting foreigners.

There are reports of Kenyans seeking assistance from the High Commission in Dar es Salaam to return home.

Kenya’s High Commissioner to Tanzania, Isaac Njenga, on Wednesday told the Daily Nation that anyone wishing to leave was free to do so.

Read: Blackout then gunshots and teargas: My brush with death in Tanzania

During her swearing-in for a second term in Dodoma on Monday, President Suluhu lifted the dusk-to-dawn curfew that was declared on Wednesday last week and announced the restoration of internet services and communication channels.

On Thursday, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi and Tanzanian Minister for Foreign and East African Community Affairs Mahmoud Thabit Kombo held a meeting in which Kenya raised the issue of the treatment of its nationals and fears for their safety.

Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi.

Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group

“During the engagement, we emphasised the importance of ensuring the safety and security of foreign nationals, including Kenyans, who continue to contribute to Tanzania’s economic development through legitimate business and professional services,” Mr Mudavadi said in a statement to the journalists.

He acknowledged the reports of killings, arrests and harassment of Kenyans by Tanzanian authorities.

“There were reported incidents where the rights of several Kenyans were infringed. These specific cases have been formally submitted to the Tanzanian government for action,” he said.

According to the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, some 250,000 Kenyans lived, worked or were doing business in Tanzania as of May 2025.

Killed in the demonstrations

Meanwhile, human rights organisations and activists are still raising the alarm over “deliberate attempts by Tanzanian authorities to conceal the true scale of post-election killings”.

Vocal Africa Chief Executive Officer, Hussein Khalid, on Thursday said the lobby’s contacts in Dar es Salaam went to Mwananyamala Hospital Mortuary to look for the body of John Okoth Ogutu, a Kenyan reportedly killed during the election unrest, but were turned away by authorities.

“We are in touch with our networks in Dar es Salaam, who visited Mwananyamala Hospital. Unfortunately, they are still being told that Okoth’s body is not at the mortuary,” Mr Khalid said in Nairobi.

Tanzanian demonstrators participate in violent protests in Dar es Salaam following chaotic election on October 29, 2025.

Photo credit: Reuters

“The government of Tanzania refuses to say where the body has been taken.”

He added that Vocal Africa partners confirmed that several Tanzanians are also searching for their relatives who are believed to have been killed in the demonstrations.

“It appears that there is a deliberate move by the government of Tanzania to hide bodies in order to downplay the number of people killed in the violence, which our networks estimate to be 3,000 to 5,000,” he said.

Read: A short text and a missing body: A family's agony following death of kin in Tanzania

“Tanzanian authorities want to use Kenyans as scapegoats for the atrocities committed by police against Tanzanians. Kenyans in Tanzania are not safe. They are being targeted and harassed.”

Mr Khalid urged the Kenyan government to take urgent measures to protect its citizens, especially those residing in Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Mbeya.

“We must demand from the embassy in Tanzania to reach out to all Kenyans in Tanzania and ensure that they are protected from state excesses,” he said.

Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) Head of Communication Ernest Cornell said many Kenyans in Tanzania face persecution, intimidation and threats to their livelihoods as authorities tighten restrictions.

“We are receiving reports of businesses are being forced to surrender lists of employees,” Mr Cornell told the Daily Nation.

“If you are a foreigner – especially a Kenyan – the chances of your work permit being terminated are high. Some Kenyans have been informed that their valid six or 12-month work permits could be reduced to 30 days.”

President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania inspects a guard of honour at Chamwino State House in Dodoma.

He added that as a result, Kenyans cannot operate in Tanzania freely.

According to the statement from the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Mr Mudavadi made it clear to the Tanzanian authorities that Kenya expects “full protection under the law” for its nationals conducting lawful business in the neighbouring country.

The statement added that the minister underscored the economic contribution Kenyans make across various sectors in Tanzania, saying Nairobi would not relent in seeking accountability when their safety is threatened.

“Both ministers agreed that any incidents requiring attention would be addressed through established diplomatic and consular mechanisms in accordance with international protocols and the principles of the East African Community,” the statement said.

Tanzania has been on edge since the disputed election, which sparked protests in several regions.

Security forces have intensified operations against the demonstrations, detaining protesters and foreigners.

Read: Family seeks help to bring home body of man killed in Tanzania riots

The High Commission in Dar es Salaam told Kenyans in Tanzania that their safety remains a priority.

The High Commission said it is in regular communication with Tanzanian authorities to ensure Kenyans are protected.

“The welfare and safety of Kenyans residing in Tanzania remains a top priority for the Mission,” it said in a statement.

“The Kenyan High Commission in Dar es Salaam wishes to give reassurance to the Kenyan Community in Tanzania that the Mission has resumed operations following the lifting of the curfew and the restrictions put in place after the general election.”

Responding to queries by the Daily Nation about Kenyans seeking shelter and evacuation assistance from the embassy, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei said the government was trying to establish the status of its citizens in Tanzania.

“We are pursuing information on the matter and will communicate soon,” he said.

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