Two Kenyans who had been arrested in Tanzania during post-election protests have finally been released following widespread concern from Kenyans and human rights groups.
In a statement shared on social media, the Kenyan High Commission in Tanzania confirmed that it had officially received the two citizens — Frederick Lorent Obuya and John Gitahi Nderitu — after their release. The mission also clarified that the two would not face any criminal charges related to their arrest on October 29, the day of Tanzania’s General Elections.
“The High Commissioner, H.E. Ambassador Isaac Njenga, has received two Kenyans who were arrested in Tanzania after the protests that took place on October 29, 2025, during the General Elections,” read part of the statement. “Mr. Fredrick Lorent Obuya, a lawyer and tour operator, and Mr. John Gitahi Nderitu, a financial professional, have both been released without any charges and handed over to the custody of the Kenya High Commission in Dar es Salaam.
They expressed gratitude to the Mission for its intervention and said they were eager to return home and reunite with their families.”
The release came after growing pressure from Kenyans online, civil society groups, and activists who had raised concerns that several Kenyans were among those detained following the tense post-election protests in Tanzania.
The elections, held on October 29, were marked by chaos and demonstrations in several regions.
Earlier, on Wednesday, November 5, Hussein Khalid, the CEO of VOCAL Africa and a well-known human rights activist, had sounded the alarm over the arrest of 29-year-old Obuya. Khalid revealed that Obuya had been arrested in Dar es Salaam while travelling to Zanzibar for business purposes.
Reports indicated that Obuya was being held at Oyster Bay Police Station, where he had been denied communication with his family or legal representation, and authorities had not provided clear reasons for his detention.
The two men are among several Kenyans who found themselves caught up in the wave of violence and arrests that followed Tanzania’s disputed elections. Sadly, another Kenyan, John Okoth Ogutu, who worked as a teacher in Tanzania, was killed on election day under mysterious and disturbing circumstances, further fueling outrage among Kenyans.
Their release came just a few hours after another separate incident involving Kenyans detained abroad. Two other Kenyans — Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo — who had reportedly been abducted in Uganda in early October, were also freed.
Njagi and Oyoo were released on the night of Friday, October 7, after spending 38 days in captivity. They were allegedly taken by Ugandan security personnel in Kampala on October 1, sparking a diplomatic effort from Kenyan officials to secure their freedom.
Following their release, the two men were handed over to Kenyan authorities at the Busia border, after being officially released to the Kenyan High Commission in Uganda.
The news was confirmed by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei, who praised the cooperation between the two nations.
“Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo are now free and safely back on Kenyan soil,” PS Sing’oei stated. “After several rounds of negotiations, the two were finally released late last night to our High Commissioner in Uganda.
They were escorted by the Ambassador, together with Ugandan government officials, to the Busia border town, where they were received by Busia County Commissioner Chaunga Mwachaunga.”
The back-to-back releases of the four Kenyans highlight growing diplomatic efforts by Kenya to protect its citizens detained or missing abroad.
The Kenyan government has been under pressure to act swiftly in cases where citizens are arrested or abducted in neighboring countries, especially amid political unrest.
For now, the families of Obuya, Nderitu, Njagi, and Oyoo are breathing a sigh of relief as they prepare to reunite with their loved ones after weeks of anxiety and uncertainty.
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