Tourism players want Dar to open border for free trade

By KIPCHUMBA KEMEI

Narok, Kenya; Stakeholders in the tourism sector want the government to enter into talks with Tanzanian authorities and urge them to open up their border to allow free movement of people and goods.

They said that whereas Kenya allow Tanzanians to enter the country and do business unhindered, Kenyans could not do the same in the neighbouring State, accusing it of standing in the way of full integration of the East Africa Community.

Speaking during a tourism stakeholders’ meeting in Narok yesterday, tour guides, drivers and hoteliers noted that tourists living in Serengeti National Park in Tanzania wishing to visit Maasai Mara have to travel long distances to either the Namanga or Isebania border to enter the game reserve.

“Tanzania has refused tourists to cross into the Mara from Sand River Gate and other entry points,” said Andrew Mungatana, the national vice-chairman of the Tour Guides and Drivers Association.

“Kenyan tour vehicles are not allowed to enter Tanzania. Tourists are dropped at border points and then they are picked by vehicles from that country. Kenyans who have entered that country have been arrested and harassed,” he said.