On Tuesday, June 13, the Kenyan government launched plans to erect pillars in the regions bordering Tanzania to avert conflict between neighbouring communities.
To kickstart the project, officials from both countries conducted a sensitisation exercise to inform the residents of the importance of proper demarcation.
Led by Kajiado County Commissioner, Felix Watakila, the government officials noted that the border pillars would help foster co-existence between Kenyans and Tanzanians at the border.
"We want that project to be sustainable so that every citizen can see where the Kenyan border is differentiate from that from Tanzania," Watakila stated.
The County Commissioner added that the clear border points would help seize traders sneaking into the neighbouring country to promote outlawed businesses.
Speaking during the sensitisation exercise, a Tanzanian land official Joseph Mutongoro implored Kenya and Tanzania to erect the boundaries transparently.
He further called for the corporation between locals to build the pillars and supply construction materials.
"We need to ensure that the project is carried out transparently involving communities from Kenya and Tanzania," Mutongoro maintained.
Defining the optics of the project, border point officers and land surveyors assured that no one would be evicted and displaced. However, those at border points would be moved to other places while others would be compensated to relocate.
The plan to build pillars at the border point came after the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) revealed that the Kenyan government was losing millions due to the sale of uncertified goods. ACA officials met with their Tanzanian counterparts to address the issue and agreed to increase border surveillance.
Besides promoting outlawed ventures, the pillars and clear demarcation would help solve cross-country conflicts such as the recent diplomatic tiff between Kenya and Uganda. Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni threatened to deport Kenyans.
Museveni accused Kenyan nationals of sneaking rifles into Uganda and thus causing conflict.
"Long ago, I ordered these Turkanas never to bring guns into Uganda. They should come and graze their cattle, minus being armed.
"They, however, did not listen to this. Instead, they raided and disarmed Karimonjong, killed people, etc. They are said to have raided 2245 cattle from the Jie. They killed our 3 (three) Geologists, 1 (one) Officer and a soldier, that were guarding them. I now direct that this Turkana nonsense must stop," he stated.
Initially, the government had planned to build a wall separating Kenya and Somalia. However, the project stalled due to financial constraints.
