- A Kenyan teacher, John Ogutu, was killed during post-election violence in Dar es Salaam, but his body has since gone missing from the mortuary
- Human rights group Vocal Africa has petitioned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nairobi to intervene and help locate the remains
- The family remains in distress, seeking closure and justice amid growing pressure on the Kenyan government to act
Pressure continues to mount on the Kenyan government to address the circumstances surrounding the death of a teacher killed during post-election violence in Tanzania.
Source: Getty Images
John Ogutu, whose relatives reside in Nairobi’s Huruma Estate, was killed in the skirmishes in Dar es Salaam on 29 October.
Dar es Salaam was among the regions severely affected by the unrest.
His family says he was en route to Kenya when he met his tragic end. The 33-year-old had been teaching in the coastal city.
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It has now emerged that his body cannot be found in the mortuary where he had reportedly been booked after succumbing to gunshot injuries.
Vocal Africa, a human rights group based in Nairobi, is calling on the Kenyan government to intervene.
The organisation submitted a plea to Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei, seeking his urgent involvement.
“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,” Vocal Africa wrote to Sing’oei.
According to the group, Ogutu’s body was booked at Mwananyamala Hospital mortuary following his death.
His family and friends visited the mortuary to view the body, but were dismayed to learn it was missing.
The unknown whereabouts of the body have compounded the agony endured by the family as they come to terms with the reality of their loved one’s death.
“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 Mortuary in Dar es Salaam. 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 group said.
Through its chief executive officer, Hussein Khalid, Vocal Africa petitioned Sing’oei to establish contact with his Tanzanian counterpart and help trace the body to bring closure to the bereaved family.
“Engage the Tanzanian authorities urgently to establish the whereabouts of Ogutu’s body and ensure it is released to his family without further delay for transportation and burial in Kenya,” he said.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
