Tag: Tanzania News

Two Kenyan citizens who were arrested in Tanzania during the civil unrest that followed the disputed October 29, 2025, General Elections have been released and handed over to the Kenyan High Commission in Dar es Salaam.

The Kenyan High Commission in Tanzania announced the release of Frederick Lorent Obuya and John Gitahi Nderitu via social media, confirming that they face no charges related to their arrests on election day.

Arrests and Release

The released men were identified as:

• Frederick Lorent Obuya: A lawyer and tour operator, who activist Hussein Khalid of VOCAL Africa reported was arrested in Dar-es-Salaam while traveling on business to Zanzibar. Obuya was reportedly detained at Oyster Bay Police Station for several days without communication.
• John Gitahi Nderitu: A financial professional.

The High Commissioner, H.E. Ambassador Isaac Njenga, personally received the two men.

“The High Commissioner, H.E. Ambassador Isaac Njenga, received two Kenyans who had been arrested in Tanzania following the protests of 29th October 2025 during the General Elections,” the statement read. “They thanked the Mission & looked forward to reuniting with their families.”

The arrests had fueled concerns that Kenyans were being swept up in the crackdown that followed the contentious Tanzanian elections. Their release brings some relief amid reports of tragic circumstances affecting other Kenyans in Tanzania, including the death of teacher John Okoth Ogutu on election day.

Echoes of Ugandan Abductions

This positive development comes shortly after the release of two other Kenyans, Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, who were allegedly abducted by Ugandan security officers in Kampala on October 1.

Njagi and Oyoo’s release on the night of Friday, October 7—38 days after their reported abduction—was confirmed by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei. They were released to the Kenyan High Commission in Uganda and handed over to local Kenyan authorities at the Busia border crossing, marking the end of a long diplomatic engagement to secure their freedom.

Activist Hussein Khalid, CEO of VOCAL Africa, has raised a serious alarm regarding reports that several Kenyans have been caught up in the violent unrest following Tanzania’s recent general election, with some allegedly killed.

Khalid took to X on Sunday to relay reports of Kenyan deaths amid the intensifying crackdown on post-election protests, which began shortly after the vote on October 29.

Kenyan Teacher Allegedly Shot

The activist specifically identified one alleged victim, John Okoth Ogutu, who was reportedly shot on election day in Ubungo, Dar es Salaam. According to Khalid’s post, Ogutu was working as a teacher in Tanzania, and his body is currently being held at the Mwananyamala Mortuary.

“We are receiving reports that there are Kenyans who have been killed in Tanzania,” Khalid stated, urging diplomatic attention to the escalating situation.

Context of the Unrest and Contested Election

The reports emerge just days after widespread protests erupted in Tanzania. The election itself was highly controversial due to a notable lack of strong opposition:

• The main opposition leader, Tundu Lissu (CHADEMA), is facing treason charges.
• The second main opposition leader, Luhaga Mpina (ACT-Wazalendo), was disqualified.

Consequently, many Tanzanians took to the streets to protest what they termed as oppression, with many citizens reportedly choosing not to vote.

Despite the low turnout observed by external parties, Tanzania’s electoral commission reported that President Samia Suluhu Hassan had won by a landslide with 98 percent of the vote, claiming an improbable 87 percent voter turnout. This assertion has been vehemently termed as false by the opposition and independent election observers.

Tanzanian nationals have continued to contest the election process daily, leading to security forces using strong-handed methods to disperse crowds, which has reportedly resulted in hundreds of deaths and now, allegedly, the death of a Kenyan national.

Tensions escalated dramatically along the Kenya-Tanzania border at the busy crossing town of Namanga on Thursday, marking the second day of unrest following the contentious general elections in neighboring Tanzania.

The border disturbance occurred amid growing demonstrations that have rocked major Tanzanian cities since Wednesday, October 29. While the exact motivation for the Kenyan protesters remains unclear, early reports indicate their frustration stemmed from police blocking movement into or out of Tanzania. One protester was heard shouting, “Leave us alone, focus on Tanzania,” suggesting an attempt to join the cross-border demonstrations.

Government Warning and Border Security

The border town of Namanga had been heavily protected by security forces on Wednesday during the voting stage of the Tanzanian polls. However, the subsequent civil unrest led to a security and media blackout that affected even the Kenyan side. Journalists attempting to cross the border to cover the Tanzanian elections were blocked, with some reporting little to no internet access even while still on Kenyan soil.

Amid these developments, the Kenyan government, through Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, issued a stern warning to Kenyans intending to participate in the Tanzanian demonstrations.

“I don’t want to speak about what is happening in Tanzania. I can speak about Kenya… Anyone who wants to participate in any form of protests, let’s do what the law requires us to do,” Omollo stated in Mombasa on Thursday.

He appealed to citizens to obey the law and avoid endangering themselves, adding that border officers would advise on any point of inconvenience.

Election Aftermath and Curfew

The protests in both countries reflect intense dissatisfaction with the Tanzanian polls, which saw opposition groups call for a boycott. President Samia Suluhu Hassan is currently on course for a landslide victory, as the main opposition leader, Tundu Lissu, remains in detention and his party opted out, citing unfair conditions.

As tensions soared, Tanzanian police had already imposed a 6 pm curfew on Wednesday in a bid to quell protesters who are now insisting their demonstrations will persist until the elections are declared null and void. The continuous unrest has forced businesses along the Namanga border to shut down as the situation remains volatile.

Love knows no boundaries, and age is just a number, as evidenced by the story of Yusta Lucas Lucas, a 60-year-old Tanzanian woman who is set to marry her 27-year-old partner.

The couple met three years ago, after Yusta’s first husband passed away. Yusta said that she was initially hesitant to date someone so much younger than her, but she was eventually won over by his kindness and maturity.

“He is a very kind and mature man,” Yusta said in an interview with Mbengo TV. “He treats me with respect, and he makes me feel loved.”

The couple’s age difference has not been without its challenges. Yusta’s family and friends were initially skeptical of her relationship, but they have since come around.

“My family and friends were initially worried about the age difference,” Yusta said. “But they have since come to see how happy we are together, and they have accepted our relationship.”

Yusta and her partner are planning to get married later this year. They are excited to start their new life together, and they are confident that their love will overcome any challenges that they may face.