Kenyan Lawyer Arrested in Dar es Salaam Amid Tanzania’s Post-Election Crackdown

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A 29-year-old Kenyan lawyer, Fredrick Lorent Obuya, has reportedly been arrested in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, amid an ongoing government crackdown on foreigners following the disputed general election.

Obuya, who also operates a tour and travel company, was travelling to Zanzibar for official business when he was detained on October 31, 2025. His family and colleagues say his last known location was Oyster Bay Police Station, but his current whereabouts remain unknown.

According to sources close to the family, attempts to contact him or obtain information from Tanzanian authorities have been futile. “We are deeply concerned for his safety. No one has been allowed to see him, and the authorities have refused to give any explanation,” said one family member who spoke on condition of anonymity.

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The arrest comes as Tanzanian security agencies intensify operations targeting foreigners accused of involvement in post-election protests. President Samia Suluhu Hassan recently alleged that “non-locals” were fueling unrest and destruction of property, vowing that her administration would act firmly to restore order.

Human rights groups have raised alarm over what they term as growing repression in Tanzania, where reports of police brutality and unlawful detentions have emerged. Local media have also been warned against publishing stories related to deaths or injuries linked to police actions during the protests.

The Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue an official statement regarding Obuya’s detention. Meanwhile, activists and legal associations in Kenya are urging the government to intervene and ensure his immediate release, calling the arrest a violation of international human rights laws.

The situation continues to draw regional attention as concerns mount over the safety of Kenyans working and living in Tanzania