The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued an update on the ongoing efforts to assist the family of John Okoth Ogutu, a Kenyan teacher who died in Tanzania during post-election unrest.
In a statement on Saturday, November 22, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'Oei said he met the family and assured them that the government remains fully committed to tracing and bringing home the remains of the deceased teacher.
"Met the family of the late John Okoth Ogutu, a school teacher in Tanzania, who lost his life during the post electoral disturbances in Dar Es Salaam.
"Assured them of government’s commitment to finding and repatriating the remains of our late national," he said.
This comes weeks after VOCAL Africa raised the alarm over the disappearance of Ogutu's body from a Tanzanian hospital morgue.
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In a letter addressed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, November 5, the organisation said Ogutu, who worked at Sky Schools in Dar es Salaam, was shot dead at the height of the civil unrest.
"We write to you with deep concern regarding two Kenyan citizens who have been directly affected by the ongoing unrest and violence following the disputed elections in the United Republic of Tanzania. We seek the urgent intervention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to secure justice and humane treatment for both individuals.
"The first case concerns Mr. John Okoth Ogutu, a Kenyan national who worked as a teacher at Sky Schools in Dar es Salaam. According to multiple eyewitness accounts, Mr. Ogutu was shot and killed on 29th October 2025 during the post election violence. His body was subsequently taken to Mwananyamala Hospital Morgue in Dar es Salaam," the letter read.
However, VOCAL Africa noted that reports have since emerged that the teacher’s body is missing from the morgue where it was taken.
"However, we have received alarming reports that when his colleagues and friends went to view the body in the last two days, it was missing and its current whereabouts remain unknown.
"This situation has caused immense distress to his family, who are desperate for closure and the dignified return of their loved one's remains," the letter added.
In the same letter, VOCAL Africa also highlighted the case of another Kenyan, Fredrick Obuya Lorent, who was reportedly arrested in Dar es Salaam while travelling to Zanzibar.
"The second case involves Mr. Fredrick Obuya Lorent, aged 29, who was arrested on 3lst October 2025 in Dar es Salaam. Mr. Lorent was en route to Zanzibar for work related travel when he was detained and his last known location was Oyster Bay Police Station," the letter further read.
The organisation expressed concern that Lorent had allegedly been denied access to legal representation and communication with his family since his arrest.
"We are concerned that he has been denied access to legal representation and communication with his family, raising fears over his safety and well being," the letter stated.
VOCAL Africa urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take immediate diplomatic steps to address the situation and protect the rights of its citizens abroad.
"In light of the above, we respectfully request that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs engage the Tanzanian authorities urgently to establish the whereabouts of Mr. Ogutu's body and ensure it is released to his family without further delay for transportation and burial in Kenya; and intervene immediately in the case of Mr. Lorent to ensure that he is accorded his right to a fair and expeditious trial in line with international human rights standards and the East African Community Treaty obligations," the letter concluded.
