The government has revealed that two Kenyans, including a murdered teacher, remain unaccounted for in the wake of the election chaos that rocked Tanzania during and after election day.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi revealed this on Wednesday, November 12, during a quarterly briefing on Kenya's foreign policy. He provided details on the fate of Kenyans who were in the neighbouring country when the chaos erupted.
"There are two unresolved cases. John Ogutu was shot on October 29 in Obungo District in Dar es Salaam. He was a teacher. His body has not been traced to date," Mudavadi revealed.
The October 29 election in Tanzania was one of the most controversial ones in the country's recent past, with incumbent Samia Suluhu Hassan securing victory with 98 per cent of votes, albeit controversially.
Long before results were announced, there was unrest in several parts of Tanzania as citizens took to the streets to protest what they described as a sham election process, particularly because Suluhu's biggest threats in the poll had been disqualified.
Kenyans were among those caught in the mayhem, with Mudavadi revealing on Wednesday that diplomatic efforts were underway to repatriate citizens back to their home country.
"Kenya High Commission in Dar es Salaam continues to provide consular support to affected Kenyans in Tanzania, including Visa amnesty requests and repatriation," Mudavadi revealed.
According to Mudavadi, eight of the Kenyans who were arrested and detained in various police stations in Tanzania have been released without facing charges.
Three Kenyans remain in Tanzanian police custody, with one Kenyan being held in Arusha while the other is in a police station in Dar es Salaam.
Tragically, Mudavadi also revealed there are two unsolved cases, including one involving, Ogutu.
Mudavadi did not reveal the particulars of the second unresolved case involving a Kenyan in Tanzania, although the Prime CS revealed a comprehensive list of all affected Kenyans would be released later on.
In his address, the Prime CS reiterated Kenya's commitment to champion for peace in the region as he warned activists against temping fate by pushing for action and reforms in neighbouring countries.
Meanwhile, the United Nations has called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the killings and other human rights violations committed in Tanzania.
UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk issued a statement on Tuesday, stating that information obtained by the agency revealed that hundreds of protesters and other people were killed, and an unknown number injured, while others were detained.
He also disclosed that reports reaching the UN Human Rights office indicated that bodies of those killed during the protests may have been taken by security forces to undisclosed locations.
