Kenya Puts Tanzania Under Pressure Over Teacher Killed During Election Protests
John Ogutu, who taught at Sky Schools iHi Rabson, was killed on October 29 around 7 pm at Goba Centre in Ubungo District
Marvin Chege 
A Kenyan teacher was shot dead in Dar es Salaam during post-election unrest, the government confirmed on Wednesday, November 12.
According to Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, John Ogutu, who taught at Sky Schools iHi Rabson, was killed on October 29 around 7 pm at Goba Centre in Ubungo District amid heightened tensions following Tanzania’s General Election.
“The Ministry is deeply concerned that the body of Ogutu has not been traced to date,” Mudavadi expressed.
Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi during presentation of certificates to new envoys on November 11, 2025 upon completion of their pre-departure training. /MUSALIA MUDAVADI
“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.”
Speaking during his Third Quarterly media briefing, Mudavadi revealed that the government is also pursuing the release of three other Kenyan nationals still in custody in Tanzania.
Eight other Kenyans who had been arrested across the country have since been released, he added, noting that two remain in Arusha and one in Dar es Salaam.
Mudavadi emphasized that Nairobi continues to provide consular support, including visa amnesty requests and repatriation assistance.
“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 went on.
Despite the recent tensions, Mudavadi stressed that Kenya remains committed to strong diplomatic ties with Tanzania and Uganda, reaffirming its support for regional cooperation under the East African Community framework.
He underscored that relations are guided by principles of mutual respect and non-interference, even as the government monitors sensitive issues affecting its citizens abroad.
Meanwhile, the United Nations (UN) has urged an immediate and comprehensive probe into the recent killings and other human rights abuses in Tanzania.
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk said on Tuesday that information received by the agency indicates that hundreds of protesters and other individuals were killed, with many more injured or detained.
Türk further noted that reports reaching the UN Human Rights office suggest security forces may have removed the bodies of those killed during the protests to undisclosed locations.
