Kenya,Tanzania to Launch Major Security Operation On Border

A major security operation is underway at the Kenya-Tanzania border to curb illegal firearms and criminal gangs. This follows recent's killing of five people in Naikarra after bandits believed to be from Sonjos community in Tanzania attacked them.

They resolutions were reached on Wednesday by the leaders and the security team from both countries in a meeting held at Olderkesi area.

Narok governor Samuel Tunai led Kenya delegation and accompanied by Women Representative Soipan Tuya, Narok west MP Patrick Ntutu, Narok County Commissioner Kassim Farah, Narok South DC Chimwaga Mwongo and Narok police boss Peterson Maelo while those from Tanzania were led by Ngorongoro DC Elias Wawa Lali and Immigration Officer Edward Nzogu.

Mongo, who read the resolutions, said they will step up the mob up of illegal firearms and light weapons in a bid to curb as a way to fight crime in the common border.

He said the operation will not be targeting any race or community but criminals who have been terrorising the innocent locals. "We will conduct both joint as well as simultaneous operations across the common border as a formula to fight crime wave when the need arises," said Mongo.

The administrator added they would enhance cross border communication of security enforcement agencies. "We will establish Regulatory outposts and immigration offices at known and border points. Also, they will enhance awareness on social, economic and security matters of the residents living along the common border," he noted.

They leaders denied the claims that the Tanzania government might have been behind the recent attacks on Kenyans in the border side.

"The incidents are purely criminal activities and that should not spoil the good working relations with the two countries who are also members of the East Africa Community," he said.

They also agreed to hold cross border meetings twice a year at the district level and four times a year at the local level and clear marking of no-man's land.

Lali said that criminals should always be dealt with as criminals and not stereo typing or generalizing a community where a criminal is suspected to have come from.

"The bandits who attacked Kenyans recently were arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment. Any government has a duty to protect its citizen and their properties and any criminal found should face the law" said Lali. Kassim expressed the need of communities from the two countries intermingling freely without fear of any attack.