News

Kenya Remains Silent as Desperate Tanzanian Asylum Seekers Turn to UNHCR

A contingent of Tanzanian nationals maintained a continuous presence throughout Monday, November 17, at the Nairobi headquarters of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, pressing for formal refugee registration in Kenya.

ALSO READ: Ruto Poised for Historic Landslide as Opposition Faces Electoral Wipeout – The Star

The group, composed primarily of individuals fleeing potential detention in their homeland, voiced deep dissatisfaction with what they described as Kenya’s unwillingness to process their asylum applications. They reported that despite earlier indications from Kenyan officials suggesting their cases would be formally recognized, their petitions have remained unaddressed—a delay they warned could have grave consequences for their safety.

Members of the group stated that justifications provided by the current Kenyan administration for the processing delays have proven inadequate, prompting their decision to escalate the matter directly to UN representatives.

These asylum seekers are part of a broader wave of Tanzanians who fled heightened political instability surrounding their nation’s electoral process on October 29, 2025, which resulted in President Samia Suluhu Hassan securing another term in office.

During a media briefing on Monday, representatives from the group alleged they had been subjected to threats from Tanzanian officials cautioning them against engaging with journalists.

“Everyone can see that Tanzania has abandoned democratic principles,” one spokesperson stated. “Given recent events in our country, we have traveled here seeking protection for our lives.”

Kenya has traditionally provided sanctuary to displaced persons from neighboring East African states, including Uganda, Somalia, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, recent weeks have witnessed an unprecedented increase in Tanzanian nationals requesting asylum within Kenyan borders.

A significant portion of these applicants identify as supporters or members of the opposition CHADEMA party, claiming they face systematic persecution under President Suluhu Hassan’s government.

Despite the asylum seekers’ public expressions of frustration regarding the stalled registration process, Kenya’s government has not issued an official response to their concerns.

This development follows President Suluhu Hassan’s November 13 announcement ordering the reconsideration and potential dismissal of charges against numerous young people detained during demonstrations that followed the election results. In her remarks, the Tanzanian leader, who secured her victory with approximately 98 percent of votes cast, suggested that many arrested protesters were unaware of their actions and had simply been swept up in crowd dynamics.