Tanzania's President John Pombe Magufuli has warned Kenyan herders against grazing their animals in Tanzania.
He promised that Tanzanian authorities would apprehend the animals and take appropriate action in accordance with the law.
The warning was issued through a press statement as he began a four-day visit in his official capacity to Kagera province.
President Magufuli stated: "Tanzania sio shamba la kuchungia mifugo ya nchi jirani, ndio maana tumeamua kukamata mifugo na kuchukua hatua kwa mujibu wa sheria. (Tanzania is not a farm to take care of livestock from neighbouring countries, which is why we've decided to get the animals and take action in accordance with the law).
"Na hata huko kwenye nchi jirani wakishika mifugo kutoka Tanzania wachukue hatua za kisheria za nchi hizo (And even in the neighbouring countries if they get livestock from Tanzania let them take action in accordance with their laws)," he stated.
[caption caption="President Magufuli with President Uhuru Kenyatta"]
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His comments come barely a week after Tanzanian authorities auctioned 1,300 Kenyan cows for Sh 93 Million.
Tanzanian officials stated that 2,700 head of cattle crossed over from Kenya to Tanzania and only 1,400 were taken back.
Kenyan herdsmen from Nairebuk, Olmesutye, Enkeju Enirai and Ngoyeengalai had crossed over to Tanzania in early October in search of pasture.
Kenneth Wameyo, Honorary Secretary of the Kenya Veterinary Association, stated: “When it comes to cattle, they rush to claim there will be diseases, yet we have millions of other animals that feed on plants like the wildebeests that cross from Kenya to Tanzania and they have no problem with that.”
Tanzanian authorities later burned 6,400 chicks that were reported in their media as having been illegally imported from Kenya through the Namanga border.
[caption caption="The Press Statement from President Magufuli"]
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