Kenyan High Commission in Tanzania Assures Citizens of Safety Amid Post-Election Unrest
Normal operations have now resumed at the Mission after the lifting of the curfew and restrictions imposed on October 29 during the controversial general elections, which sparked widespread protests
The Kenyan High Commission in Dar es Salaam has assured Kenyans living in Tanzania of their safety following the recent wave of post-election violence
In a statement issued Wednesday, the Mission emphasized that the welfare of Kenyans residing in Tanzania remains a top priority, confirming that it has engaged Tanzanian authorities to guarantee their security
“The High Commission encourages Kenyans in Tanzania to continue with their lawful normal activities as usual,” the communiqué read in part
Normal operations have now resumed at the Mission after the lifting of the curfew and restrictions imposed on October 29 during the controversial general elections, which sparked widespread protests
The Commission also urged Kenyans to “remain calm, vigilant, observe local laws,” and to promptly report any security concerns via +255 22 2668285/6
President Samia Suluhu was sworn in on October 3 at the State House in Dodoma, with Emmanuel Nchimbi as her deputy, despite unrest and internet disruptions following the disputed election. The main opposition party, Chadema, which was barred from participating, rejected the resultsbranding the vote a “sham” and calling for fresh elections
According to the electoral commission, Suluhu secured 98 percent of the vote. However, both observers and human rights groups have condemned the elections as deeply flawed, alleging state-ordered killings and intimidation of citizens
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The Southern African Development Community (SADC) observation mission reported harassment of its delegates and noted multiple electoral irregularities
The Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC) and the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) jointly decried the violent crackdown on protesters, warning that the incidents have damaged the country’s international image
“Although the exact number of deaths remains unconfirmed, our observation and various sources indicate that hundreds mostly youth have been killed, injured, or arbitrarily arrested,” their statement read
The organizations identified several affected regions, including Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Mbeya, Arusha, Songwe, Geita, Mara, and Shinyanga, as well as towns such as Tunduma, Katoro, Kahama, and Tarime. They have called on the Tanzanian government to end arbitrary arrests and restore calm while upholding human rights
Writer : Mweru Mbugua
