DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania — Following a disputed general election marred by deadly protests, Tanzanian authorities have charged several individuals, including a prominent businesswoman and social media influencers, with inciting demonstrations aimed at obstructing the electoral process.
According to a charge sheet reviewed by Vivid Voice News, the defendants face serious legal jeopardy, with the potential of receiving the death penalty if convicted.
However, the East African nation has not carried out an execution since the 1990s, and most death sentences are ultimately commuted to life imprisonment. The court has been adjourned until November 19.
Prominent defendants and incitement charges
Among those charged on Friday is well-known Tanzanian businesswoman Jenifer Jovin, who has been accused of encouraging protesters to purchase gas masks to protect themselves from police tear gas. The defendants also include various social media influencers.
In her recent inauguration speech, President Samia Suluhu Hassan condemned the violence and specifically laid blame on foreigners for stoking the unrest.
The government maintains that the election was fair and transparent, despite independent election observers concluding that the polls fell short of democratic standards.
President Samia faced little meaningful opposition, as key rival candidates were either imprisoned or barred from running.
Kenyan citizens targeted in crackdown
The government’s crackdown has left many Kenyans living in Tanzania fearful for their safety amid reports that they have been targeted in the brutal response to the protests.
This has prompted Kenya’s Foreign Minister, Musalia Mudavadi, to intervene and formally request guarantees of safety for Kenyan nationals.
During a phone conversation, Mudavadi confirmed that he had spoken to his Tanzanian counterpart, Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, stating that concerns would be “addressed through the established diplomatic and consular channels.”
He reaffirmed the commitment to “the importance of safeguarding the rights, safety, and dignity” of Kenyans living in Tanzania.
As of May, Mudavadi had estimated that about 250,000 Kenyans lived, worked, or conducted business in Tanzania.
A Tanzanian police spokesman previously indicated that the country had intelligence suggesting some foreigners had crossed the border through illegal points “with the intention to commit crimes, including causing unrest.”
Reports of deaths and missing bodies
Several families in Kenya have expressed grave concern for relatives in Tanzania, following reports that some Kenyans have been killed, injured, or detained, while others are nursing injuries allegedly inflicted by Tanzanian security officers.
In one tragic case, John Ogutu, a Kenyan teacher working in Dar es Salaam, was reportedly shot dead by police while on his way to buy food, according to his older sister who spoke to the BBC. Rights groups, however, say Ogutu’s body cannot be traced for repatriation and burial.
A doctor at Muhimbili Hospital in Dar es Salaam told Vivid Voice News on Tuesday that vehicles marked “Municipal Burial Services” had been seen collecting bodies of those believed to have died in the protests.
Kenya’s foreign affairs ministry has now asked the public to share the names, addresses, and emergency contacts of any Kenyans who may be in distress in Tanzania.
Also Read: AU observer says Tanzania election failed to meet democratic standards
Reports suggest many Kenyans, particularly those employed in private schools, are now fleeing Tanzania after the government warned employers against engaging individuals without valid work permits.
Narrowing political space
President Samia initially assumed office in 2021 as Tanzania’s first female president following the death of President John Magufuli and was initially lauded for easing political repression.
However, the political space has since narrowed. Her recent inauguration ceremony was held at a military parade ground in the capital, Dodoma, instead of a stadium, and was closed to the public.
Tensions between the East African Community partners have been recurrent. Diplomatic relations were strained earlier in May over Tanzania’s treatment of Kenyans who went to Dar es Salaam to observe the treason trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
Several observers were deported, and prominent Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi, along with Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire, went missing and were later reported to have been tortured and sexually mistreated.
