Kenyan teacher shot dead in Tanzania's post-election violence

A family in Nairobi’s Huruma estate has been thrown into mourning following the deadly post-election unrest in Tanzania.

John Okoth Ogutu, a 33-year-old Kenyan teacher who had lived in Dar es Salaam for more than a decade, was reportedly caught up in the violent skirmishes that erupted after the polls.

Ogutu, who taught at Sky School Primary in the Kinondoni District in Dar es Salaam, was said to have been preparing to travel back home as tensions escalated.

According to the family, a contact in Dar es Salaam relayed the devastating news that Ogutu had been shot at Goba Centre in Ubungo District as protests escalated shortly after the election on October 29.

The distraught family is now desperately seeking to trace his remains for repatriation and burial, amid concerns that his body may be missing.

“Vita ilianza tukapata habari kwamba amepigwa risasi," Jennifer Otieno, sister to John Okoth Ogutu said.

His brother Benard Brian added: “Tumepatwa na huzuni sana. Kwa wale Wakenya walienda kibiashara, hivi sasa taarifa ambazo tunapata ni kwamba Wakenya wanadhulumiwa. Wakenya wamewekwa kama wahalifu. Ndugu yetu hakuwa mhalifu. Tunapata simu kutoka wenzetu.”

According to family accounts, Ogutu was not participating in the demonstrations. He had reportedly been in the company of fellow teachers clearing out from school as they prepared to travel back to Kenya due to the mounting tension in the country.

“Wakati tulimpigia simu tuliambiwa ilikuwa kikundi kikubwa... walipelekwa mortuary siku ya leo wakasema hawajapata mwili hata moja," Jennifer stated.

Evans Odhiambo, another brother, said: “Walikuwa wanapanga kurudi Kenya. Kama inawezekana watu wetu waende huko tupate vitu vyetu na mwili tukuje tuzike.”

It is believed that police opened fire on civilians in the area, and Ogutu was among those hit. His body, along with others, was said to have been taken to Mwananyamala mortuary in Kinondoni. However, the grief-stricken family now says they cannot trace his remains.

“Hawataki itambulike ni watu wangapi walizikwa," Evans noted.

Jennifer Otieno added, “Tunaomba serikali itusaidie hata tupate mwili uletwe kwa border kwa sababu itakuwa ata vigumu kuamini.”

Despite attempts to seek updates — including reaching out to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nairobi and visiting the Tanzania High Commission — the family claims they have received no clarity on repatriation efforts or the welfare of Kenyans caught up in the chaos.

“Nilienda embassy wakaniambia watanipigia simu," Evans said.

As the wait for information drags on, anxiety continues to rise over the safety of other Kenyan nationals in Tanzania.

Several countries, including the United States, have already issued security alerts advising their citizens to avoid large gatherings and remain vigilant.

For Ogutu’s family, each day without answers intensifies the anguish and the desperate hope that his remains can be found and brought back home for closure and a dignified farewell.