Tanzanians invade border town, burn trading centre

By Kipchumba Kemei

A group of Tanzanians armed with guns and arrows crossed into Kenya and burnt down a trading centre, seriously injuring scores of villagers.

Narok South DC Chimwaga Mongo said Sonjo peasants from the neighbouring country invaded Olorte area, Loita Division along the common border and burnt down a Manyatta, leaving hundreds of people homeless.

“The armed tribesmen invaded the area, shot in the air several times before setting a blaze the trading centre and a Manyatta which cuts across the Kenya-Tanzania border. They left two people with serious gun and arrow wounds,” he said.

Mr Mongo said after the attack the group invaded farms and harvested maize. They escaped back Administration Police from the local chief’s office repulsed them.

“The motive of the dawn attack is not known but it can be linked to the perennial rivalry between the Masai and Sonjos over grazing and farming land,” said Mongo.

The injured were rushed to a local dispensary before they were transferred to Narok North District Hospital.

He said Kenya has protested to Tanzania authorities over the incident. The Government plans to dispatch a delegation that will be led by Loita Division Officer Josiah Odongo to Ngorongoro District to resolve the matter.

“The officer together with Masai community leaders, elders and chiefs will travel to Ngorongoro District to resolve the security issue. I hope after the meeting further attacks will stop,” he added.

Apprehend
In 2005, Sonjo tribesmen invaded Mausa area in Loita Division, burnt down a trading centre, a Manyatta and stole 7,000 cattle. Several villagers were also injured during the attack.

Mongo said security teams from both countries were working in tandem in a bid to apprehend those who planned the attack and appealed for restraint.

“Kenya is working with Tanzania to apprehend them. The victims should exercise restraint and desist from retaliating,” he said.
Local leaders led by Councillor Joseph ole Kuaet condemned the incident and demanded that the Tanzanian Government compensates victims for the losses.

“The attack was planned. Tanzania should now move fast and compensate the victims for the losses. It should also construct for them houses,” said Mr Kuaet.

Meanwhile, at least 62 people, including 11 children and women, were massacred Tuesday night in the Pokomo retaliation attack on the Orma in Tana River and Mandera counties.

Some 100 houses were reduced to ashes, 300 cattle killed, and 1,000 people displaced in the Pokomo retaliation attack on the Orma.

It was here that in 2002 at least 100 people were butchered in the perennial Pokomo-Orma clashes over pastoralist and farming rivalry.