Kenya’s government has urged Tanzania to ensure the safety of its citizens caught up in the unrest following last week’s disputed presidential election. Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi stated that Kenyans living in Tanzania have reported being targeted in a violent crackdown on post-election protests. The protests erupted after President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner with 98% of the vote, a result that sparked accusations of vote-rigging.
In her inauguration speech, President Hassan condemned the unrest, accusing “foreign elements” of fueling the violence. However, Mudavadi said Kenya had filed “formal reports” with the Tanzanian authorities alleging violations of its citizens’ rights and requested “appropriate action.” After a phone call with Tanzanian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, Mudavadi announced that both governments had agreed to address the issue through established diplomatic and consular channels.
Mudavadi reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to protecting the rights, safety, and dignity of its citizens abroad. Approximately 250,000 Kenyans live, work, or conduct business in Tanzania. The Tanzanian government is facing growing international scrutiny over claims of excessive force against protesters, with reports suggesting that hundreds have been killed. Officials in Dodoma have downplayed the scale of the violence, dismissing opposition figures’ death toll as “greatly exaggerated.”
A Tanzanian police spokesman alleged that some foreigners had crossed into the country illegally “with the intention to commit crimes, including causing unrest.” Meanwhile, several families in Kenya say they have lost contact with relatives in Tanzania. Others report that loved ones have been killed, injured, or detained, some allegedly at the hands of Tanzanian security forces.
The situation has sparked concern among Kenyans with ties to Tanzania. The reported violence and alleged human rights abuses have significant implications for regional stability and diplomatic relations between the two countries. As the situation continues to unfold, international observers are calling for calm and restraint. The Tanzanian government’s response to the unrest will be closely watched, with many awaiting further developments and potential next steps from both governments. Additional information on the situation can be found through reputable sources, including the BBC.
