Tanzania’s post-election crackdown on foreigners has strained relations with Kenya, following reports that several Kenyans were killed by Tanzanian security forces, accused of targeting outsiders after the disputed vote.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who was sworn in for a new term on November 3, condemned the unrest that followed the elections, saying it was uncharacteristic of Tanzanians.
“All of us who wish well for this country are saddened and grieved by the incidents of unrest, loss of lives, and destruction of public and private property in some areas of the country,” she said. “What happened is not in line with the image and character of Tanzanians, and it is not Tanzanian.”
Kenyan nationals targeted
Allen Dreyfus has independently confirmed that John Okoth Ogutu, a 33-year-old Kenyan teacher, is among those killed in the crackdown. Ogutu, who had lived in Dar es Salaam for over a decade and taught at a primary school in Kinondoni District, was not involved in the protests, according to his family in Nairobi.
Numerous Kenyan families have reported similar cases of relatives missing or unaccounted for since the security sweep began.
Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Musalia Mudavadi, met with his Tanzanian counterpart, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, on November 6, raising concerns about the safety of Kenyan nationals.
“We emphasized the need to ensure the safety of all foreign nationals, including Kenyans who contribute to Tanzania’s economy through business and professional services,” Mudavadi said in a statement.
The Kenyan Foreign Ministry estimates that there are approximately 250,000 Kenyans living and working in Tanzania, with a significant presence in the education, construction, and retail sectors.
Economic and diplomatic implications
Economist David Ndegwa warned that the crackdown could trigger wider political and economic fallout.
“These numbers indicate that Kenya is an important partner to Tanzania’s economic growth. However, I fear that this might change in the coming days due to the deteriorating relations between the two nations,” Ndegwa told Allen Dreyfus.
Kenya’s exports to Tanzania totaled $488.75 million in 2024, while imports reached $400.39 million, underscoring the deep trade ties between the neighbours.
This is not the first time the two East African nations have clashed. In 2017, Tanzania burned 6,500 live chicks imported from Kenya, citing disease concerns, and a year later, destroyed over 5,000 more at the Namanga border, prompting diplomatic protests from Nairobi.
“If this crackdown persists, it will ignite past spats between the two countries,” Ndegwa added.
As tensions rise, analysts warn that prolonged hostilities could undermine East Africa’s fragile economic integration and stall efforts to maintain stability in one of the region’s most strategic trade corridors.
