Kenyan Violence Enriching Tanzania Border Guards

A victim of Kenya’s post-election violence has alleged that Tanzanian police are receiving bribes for helping Kenyans cross the border through the Tarakea post in the Kilimanjaro Region of the country.

The victim, a Tanzanian living in Kenya, Hassani Kimali, told APA in Dar es Salaam on Friday that police in Tarakea were demanding US$150 per head “for the service.”

“Most Kenyans fleeing to Tanzania pass through Tarakea and Holili border posts before they get to Moshi. Tanzanian police officers help them to cross at night once they are paid US$150,” alleged Kimali.

Kimali said he had to pay the amount when he crossed the border on Wednesday and was escorted at night by police officers to the Tanzania side.

“Not all those who want to cross over to Tanzania are Kenyans. Some are in fact Tanzanians, but it is very expensive to get into the country through the border,” he said.

However, Kilimanjaro Regional Police Commander Lucas Ngo’boko denied the allegations, saying Tanzanian police officers were in no way involved in charging fees to Kenyans fleeing into the country.

“We have tight security at the border post of Tarakea and no one is passing through that area secretly,” he said.

He said that the police would ensure that no Kenyans got into the country through Tarakea or any other area without passing through established channels.

The government Thursday confirmed reports that scores of Kenyans fleeing post-election violence in their country were crossing into Tanzania.

Public Safety and Security Minister Harith Bakari Mwapachu told APA in an interview in Dar es Salaam that dozens of Kenyans have been crossing the border separating the two countries since the violence erupted at the end of last week.

Source African Press Agency

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