Geza Ulole
JF-Expert Member
- Oct 31, 2009
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Chaos as Kenyans protest arrest of their colleagues
August 7, 2018
The rioting traders are said to have hurled stones and barricaded the Namanga-Nairobi highway, causing big traffic jam on the busy road for almost five hours.
This writer witnessed Dar Express and Dar Lux, two daily buses that operate between Dar and Nairobi leaving the border at 3pm, which is six hours late than their normal time.
It is alleged that the three are being held at the station for allegedly kidnapping and injuring PC Nelson, a police officer attached to the Field Force Unit in Arusha on August 2, this year.
Those arrested and charged for injuring the police officer while on duty have been identified as Steven Kimani, John Kinuthia and Ambrose Oliro.
Speaking to this paper at Longido Police Station yesterday, the area District Commissioner Frank Mwaisumbe said the three were arrested for trying to smuggle milk into Tanzania.
Narrating the incident, Mwaisumbe said Kimani, while driving a vehicle loaded with the consignment, tried to pass through the Namanga border where he was intercepted by the police officer.
According to the District Commissioner, the driver complied but immediately drove back to the Kenyan side as he yelled for help.
“In that event, some of his colleagues showed up and attacked the police officer who had boarded the vehicle after flagging him off,” he explained.
The officer is said to have sustained injures to the face following the scuffle.
According to Mwaisumbe, word went round that the three detainees had been killed by Tanzanian police officers.
“As you can see those detained are alive and will be charged according to Tanzanian laws,” he explained.
The District Commissioner said Tanzanians and Kenyans were brothers, and downplayed bad blood between the two countries.
“Our aim is to find a lasting solution to such problems in the East African spirit,” he said.
“The two countries need to cooperate in deterring such activities that cost us revenues.”
He said his office had off late registered an increase in revenue collections after successfully tightening the noose on illegal smuggling of products from the neighbouring country.
On his part, Kajiado Central Deputy County commissioner Charles Wambugu appealed for calm as authorities handled the matter.
Wambugu who was speaking at the police station said the three suspects were not killed by Tanzanian police as it was initially claimed, urging the rioting youth to process bail for the suspects.
“Initial reports suggested that Kinuthia and his colleagues had been killed but we have seen them alive here at the police station,” he said.
The Kajiado Central Deputy Commissioner urged the youth to shun rioting when such incidents happen and to let the authorities to address the situation.
“The matter is now being handled by Tanzania authorities because the offense was committed on their side.”
He challenged the traders to raise cash bail being Tsh5,000,000 and a guarantor for the release of their colleagues.
One of the traders who was not immediately identified pleaded with Longido DC to have their colleagues released and charged in Kenya, arguing that it was ‘tricky’ to get a guarantor in Tanzania.
On his part, Mwaisumbe maintained that the traders will be charged in Tanzania.
According to Mwaisumbe, his office and the office of Kajiado County Commissioner were due to meet on August 14, this year to discuss issues affecting trade relations in the area.
The meeting will take place at a no man’s land, according to Mwaisumbe.
MY TAKE
Migingo saga being forced on Tanzania. Learn to pay tax my friends
August 7, 2018
The rioting traders are said to have hurled stones and barricaded the Namanga-Nairobi highway, causing big traffic jam on the busy road for almost five hours.
This writer witnessed Dar Express and Dar Lux, two daily buses that operate between Dar and Nairobi leaving the border at 3pm, which is six hours late than their normal time.
It is alleged that the three are being held at the station for allegedly kidnapping and injuring PC Nelson, a police officer attached to the Field Force Unit in Arusha on August 2, this year.
Those arrested and charged for injuring the police officer while on duty have been identified as Steven Kimani, John Kinuthia and Ambrose Oliro.
Speaking to this paper at Longido Police Station yesterday, the area District Commissioner Frank Mwaisumbe said the three were arrested for trying to smuggle milk into Tanzania.
Narrating the incident, Mwaisumbe said Kimani, while driving a vehicle loaded with the consignment, tried to pass through the Namanga border where he was intercepted by the police officer.
According to the District Commissioner, the driver complied but immediately drove back to the Kenyan side as he yelled for help.
“In that event, some of his colleagues showed up and attacked the police officer who had boarded the vehicle after flagging him off,” he explained.
The officer is said to have sustained injures to the face following the scuffle.
According to Mwaisumbe, word went round that the three detainees had been killed by Tanzanian police officers.
“As you can see those detained are alive and will be charged according to Tanzanian laws,” he explained.
The District Commissioner said Tanzanians and Kenyans were brothers, and downplayed bad blood between the two countries.
“Our aim is to find a lasting solution to such problems in the East African spirit,” he said.
“The two countries need to cooperate in deterring such activities that cost us revenues.”
He said his office had off late registered an increase in revenue collections after successfully tightening the noose on illegal smuggling of products from the neighbouring country.
On his part, Kajiado Central Deputy County commissioner Charles Wambugu appealed for calm as authorities handled the matter.
Wambugu who was speaking at the police station said the three suspects were not killed by Tanzanian police as it was initially claimed, urging the rioting youth to process bail for the suspects.
“Initial reports suggested that Kinuthia and his colleagues had been killed but we have seen them alive here at the police station,” he said.
The Kajiado Central Deputy Commissioner urged the youth to shun rioting when such incidents happen and to let the authorities to address the situation.
“The matter is now being handled by Tanzania authorities because the offense was committed on their side.”
He challenged the traders to raise cash bail being Tsh5,000,000 and a guarantor for the release of their colleagues.
One of the traders who was not immediately identified pleaded with Longido DC to have their colleagues released and charged in Kenya, arguing that it was ‘tricky’ to get a guarantor in Tanzania.
On his part, Mwaisumbe maintained that the traders will be charged in Tanzania.
According to Mwaisumbe, his office and the office of Kajiado County Commissioner were due to meet on August 14, this year to discuss issues affecting trade relations in the area.
The meeting will take place at a no man’s land, according to Mwaisumbe.
MY TAKE
Migingo saga being forced on Tanzania. Learn to pay tax my friends