Police patrol border after three killed in Tanzania
What you need to know:
- Contingents from the Anti-Stock Theft Unit, Regular and Administration Police kept vigil in the border villages in Ntimaru Division, Kuria East District, Migori County to deal with any eventuality.
- The three Kenyans, killed in Tanzania’s Tarime District, were buried on Sunday in Ntimaru and Kegonga divisions.
- In a another operation, ATPU officers under the command of Mr Kipkemoi Chelule, thwarted a raid by armed rustlers at Guitembe village.
Security has been beefed up along the border of Kenya and Tanzania to avert revenge attacks following the killing of three Kenyans in the neighbouring country last week.
Contingents from the Anti-Stock Theft Unit, Regular and Administration Police kept vigil in the border villages in Ntimaru Division, Kuria East District, Migori County to deal with any eventuality.
“My officers are on high alert to make sure peace and tranquillity at the border remains undisturbed. We are on top of the situation,” said Kuria East sub-county commissioner Cornellius Wamalwa.
The three Kenyans, killed in Tanzania’s Tarime District, were buried on Sunday in Ntimaru and Kegonga divisions.
The victims were lynched at night on suspicion they were cattle rustlers, a claim their relatives have denied.
“The Tanzania Government owes us an explanation; the killings were unjustified and illegal,” complained Mr Mohabe Chacha.
The incident caused tension between the residents of Kuria East and Tarime Districts, prompting the Kenyan security officers to intensify both day and night border patrols.
Mr Wamalwa said they have launched investigations to establish circumstances under which the Kenyans were killed.
“W we are in the process of knowing the truth behind the killings. We are working in collaboration with the Tarime administration,” he said.
In a subsequent operation, ATPU officers under the command of Mr Kipkemoi Chelule, thwarted a raid by armed rustlers at Guitembe village.
DAWN ATTACK
Two suspects were subdued and arrested during the 4am incident.
“We recovered from them an AK47 rifle and eight rounds of ammunition. We are interrogating them to enable us get more suspects,” said Mr Wamalwa.
Villagers said they were awakened by the sound of heavy gunfire during the dawn fight.
Mr Wamalwa said security officers will continue with a mop-up operation targeting illegal firearms which, police believe, were being used in the cattle raids.
He appealed to the public to provide police with tips to enable them fight the menace.
