NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 8 – Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed has written an official protest note to Tanzania over the confiscation and auction of 1300 cows and burning of day-old chicks from Kenya.
She says it is unfortunate that trade between the two countries is facing regulatory hurdles that have seen a reciprocal blockade of certain goods between Kenya and Tanzania.
Mohammed has, however, said talks are ongoing with Tanzania counterparts to see a lasting solution is found.
More than 1300 cattle were auction in Arusha for 93 million shillings with the Minister of Livestock in Tanzania claiming that they cows were feared to spread diseases in Tanzania, while 6,500 day-old chicks were burned for the same reason.
“Two wrongs don’t make a right. Labour and East African Community Cabinet Secretary Phillis Kandie is attending the Third African Judicial Dialogue, organised by the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR) she is also addressing the issue,” she said.
President of Tanzania John Pombe Magufuli, Tuesday, insisted that his government will continue to capture livestock that will enter the country from neighboring countries.
According to the BBC Magufuli who was speaking in the Kagera region said Tanzania is not a veterinarian field for livestock and that he will take livestock in strict control of any domestic animal.
He also urged neighboring countries to take such action if herds from Tanzania enter the country in opposition to the law.
Magufuli’s pronunciation comes at a time when there has been rising trade tension between the two neighbors
In April, Kenyans at the Namanga border post staged demonstrations against harassment by the Tanzanian authorities.