The tension between the Kenyan and Tanzanian governments now
appears to be headed into a full-blown diplomatic crisis.
Tension escalated after President John Magufuli issued a
rather rude message to his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta.
Magufuli sent the message after Kenyan diplomatic and
political leaders complained over the auction of more than a thousand cows that
were auctioned after being confiscated in Tanzania’s territory.
The Kenyan government officials had complained that the
auction, which was done without their knowledge or consultation, was against
the spirit of cooperation between the two friendly nations.
Hours after the complaints were made, the Tanzanian
president issued a terse statement warning Kenya that his country was not a
grazing field for Kenyan animals.
“Tanzania is not a feeding farm for animals from other
countries and that is why we have stated that we are going to take action as
per the law, and we want to tell our neighbours to take measures based on their
laws once our animals go graze in the countries.
“Let them (Kenyans) also take similar action if cows from
Tanzania are arrested in their country,” the non-sense President stated.
The statement from the Tanzania head of state was received
in anger by Kajiado residents who have threatened to reiterate against Tanzania
cows grazing in Kenya.
The local maasai community, which spreads across both sides
of the borders is nomadic and follows greener pastures on either sides of the
border.
“This man (President Magufuli) is a disgrace to East
Africans. He continues to sabotage good neighbourliness…Maasai Morans are being
driven to defend themselves. We can’t tolerate this anymore,”Kajiado Governor
Joseph Ole Lenku stated.
