- A family in Siaya County is urging the Kenyan government to help repatriate the body of John Okoth, a teacher killed in the aftermath of Tanzania’s recent election
- Okoth, who had lived and worked in Dar es Salaam for over eight years, was caught in the deadly unrest that has claimed hundreds of lives
- As the family mourns, they have also called for justice and accountability for their kin’s untimely death
A family in Siaya County is pleading with the Kenyan government to intervene and help bring home the body of their kin, a teacher who was killed in post-poll chaos in Tanzania.
Source: UGC
According to his sister, Celestine Ogutu, the deceased, John Okoth, had lived and worked in Dar es Salaam for over eight years.
Siaya family appeals for help
Okoth, who taught at Sky Schools, was reportedly killed in the Gaba area of Ubungo, Dar es Salaam.
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He was caught up in the violent clashes that followed Tanzania’s recent general election. His body is currently preserved at Mwananyamala Mortuary.
Speaking from their home in Siaya, Celestine appealed to President William Ruto’s government to assist in repatriating her brother’s remains and to push for an investigation into his death.
“We just want him brought home for a decent burial and justice for what happened,” she pleaded.
She recalled that their last conversation was on September 22, when her brother called to wish her a happy birthday.
“I told him that since I am growing old, it is him who will be left in charge of the family,” Celestine recounted tearfully. “He was a kind man who never argued with his seniors or authorities.”
Source: UGC
Hundreds dead in Tanzania chaos
Okoth’s death adds to the growing toll of victims in Tanzania’s post-election unrest, which has left hundreds dead according to human rights groups.
Tanzania descended into chaos when violent demonstrations erupted across major cities, prompting the government to impose a nationwide curfew and shut down the internet.
The opposition has since called on the United Nations to investigate what it describes as a massacre under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration.
According to opposition party CHADEMA, the death toll could be as high as 700, based on figures from hospitals and health clinics, but the government has been allegedly hiding data.
For the Ogutu family in Siaya, grief mingles with uncertainty as they await news of when their brother, the man they viewed as the hope of the family will finally return home for burial.
Seven young footballers killed in chaos
Meanwhile, Viral Scout Management, a Dar es Salaam–based sports agency, confirmed that seven young footballers under its mentorship were among those killed in the chaos.
In a statement released on Monday, November 3, the agency disclosed that the players, aged between 15 and 22, were killed in Dar es Salaam, Mbeya, and Mwanza.
The deceased were Rajabu Rajab, 17, Anthony Rico, 18, Abdulqareem Ali, 16, Peter Eliya, 19, Mshani Musa, 17, Omar Musa, 15, and 22-year-old John Hosea.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
