Smatta
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- Nov 5, 2008
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There is an influx of beggars from Tanzania into the streets of Nakuru town.
Residents have raised fears the influx poses a security threat in the town.
Most of the beggars are disabled and residents suspect that they could have been brought in by a cartel engaged in human trafficking.
Former councillor Francis Karanja claimed that a cartel was behind the influx of Tanzanian beggars.
"There must be someone organising the entry of these foreign beggars into the town centre and it appears that they are being dropped at specific positions very early in the morning and picked up late in the evening," said Mr Karanja.
He added: "We have noticed that unlike our ordinary beggars, those from Tanzania use similar cups and bowls to make it easier for their handlers to collect the proceeds at the end of the day."
He accused security officials of colluding with unscrupulous individuals to let the beggars into the country.
Making a kill
"They do not appear capable of financing the entire transport cost and the minds behind this syndicate are making a kill from innocent hard working Kenyans," he said.
A spot check by the Nation established that a number of beggars in the town were indeed from Tanzania.
Two of the beggars, a Ms Awinja and Mr Masanja told the Nation that they arrived in Nakuru in February.
Mr Masanja, 40, said he was from Bariadi district in Tanzania and arrived in Nairobi in February last year where he lived in Kariobangi slums until early last month when he moved to Nakuru.
"I came to Kenya on my own volition after getting reports of how others from my country got help in Kenya," said the man.
Nakuru Municipal Council Mayor John Kitilit promised to intervene through the provincial administration.
"This is a very serious matter. For all I know, they could be in Nakuru illegally. I will talk to the police and have them conduct investigations," said Mr Kitilit.
Nakuru police boss Johnstone Ipara promised to investigate the issue to determine the status of the beggars.
allAfrica.com: Kenya: Residents Decry Influx of Foreign Beggars Into Nakuru Streets
Disabled beggars become problem in Nairobi - Taipei Times
Africa Review - Six beggars charged for illegal stay in Kenya
The Standard | Online Edition :: How foreign beggars strike it rich in Kenya
This is a worrying trend from our neighbors, it seems they have interpreted the East African spirit the wrong way. instead of exporting professionals they are flooding our streets with beggars who not only are they an eye sore but also a threat to our security. I wish that the Kenyan government could deport all of them back to their country so that their government can take care of them. there is also a trend which might become a problem in future of Tanzanian hawkers grabbing large chunks of the gikomba market which is set aside for small business men and women from Kenya. our neighbors are intolerant to kenyan business men in their country while they export hawkers and beggars to our country, we should pay them by their own coin by deporting all tanzanians living and doing business in Kenya without proper papers, the same should be done to kenyans living illegally in TZ.
Residents have raised fears the influx poses a security threat in the town.
Most of the beggars are disabled and residents suspect that they could have been brought in by a cartel engaged in human trafficking.
Former councillor Francis Karanja claimed that a cartel was behind the influx of Tanzanian beggars.
"There must be someone organising the entry of these foreign beggars into the town centre and it appears that they are being dropped at specific positions very early in the morning and picked up late in the evening," said Mr Karanja.
He added: "We have noticed that unlike our ordinary beggars, those from Tanzania use similar cups and bowls to make it easier for their handlers to collect the proceeds at the end of the day."
He accused security officials of colluding with unscrupulous individuals to let the beggars into the country.
Making a kill
"They do not appear capable of financing the entire transport cost and the minds behind this syndicate are making a kill from innocent hard working Kenyans," he said.
A spot check by the Nation established that a number of beggars in the town were indeed from Tanzania.
Two of the beggars, a Ms Awinja and Mr Masanja told the Nation that they arrived in Nakuru in February.
Mr Masanja, 40, said he was from Bariadi district in Tanzania and arrived in Nairobi in February last year where he lived in Kariobangi slums until early last month when he moved to Nakuru.
"I came to Kenya on my own volition after getting reports of how others from my country got help in Kenya," said the man.
Nakuru Municipal Council Mayor John Kitilit promised to intervene through the provincial administration.
"This is a very serious matter. For all I know, they could be in Nakuru illegally. I will talk to the police and have them conduct investigations," said Mr Kitilit.
Nakuru police boss Johnstone Ipara promised to investigate the issue to determine the status of the beggars.
allAfrica.com: Kenya: Residents Decry Influx of Foreign Beggars Into Nakuru Streets
Disabled beggars become problem in Nairobi - Taipei Times
Africa Review - Six beggars charged for illegal stay in Kenya
The Standard | Online Edition :: How foreign beggars strike it rich in Kenya
This is a worrying trend from our neighbors, it seems they have interpreted the East African spirit the wrong way. instead of exporting professionals they are flooding our streets with beggars who not only are they an eye sore but also a threat to our security. I wish that the Kenyan government could deport all of them back to their country so that their government can take care of them. there is also a trend which might become a problem in future of Tanzanian hawkers grabbing large chunks of the gikomba market which is set aside for small business men and women from Kenya. our neighbors are intolerant to kenyan business men in their country while they export hawkers and beggars to our country, we should pay them by their own coin by deporting all tanzanians living and doing business in Kenya without proper papers, the same should be done to kenyans living illegally in TZ.