Reprieve as 500 cows seized by Tanzania authorities are returned

 

It is a reprieve as more than 500 cows that were seized by the Tanzania government are returned following negotiation with the Kenya Government

The cows belonging to a Kenyan herder, Ole Saisa Lengimangush, were seized by the Tanzania National Park (Tanapa) officers as they moved through Kwale County from Rombo Village, Kajiado South Sub-county.

Lengimangush told the Standard on the phone that his cows were grazing at the Kenya-Tanzania border when they were accosted by the officers who alleged they were trespassing.

The cows were escorted by the officers to Seme area in Tanzania where they were held.

"The Tanzania government was demanding Tsh105,000 fine per head which translated to Sh5,250. This translates to Sh5 million at the current exchange rate,’’ said  Lengimangush.

However, Kajiado County Deputy Governor Martin Moshisho, the Kajiado South MP Samuel Parashina, and a Kenyan delegation were able to negotiate the release of the cows back to the hands of the owner.

"We managed to plead with the Tanzania authorities not to auction the cows. We later managed to negotiate the fine from Sh5 million to Sh1.5 million respectively. Now the cows have been handed over to the owner," said the Deputy Governor.

The Maasai herder thanked the County government for its efforts to return animals.

''I thank God and also the leaders from our county who negotiated for my cows to be returned,'' said Mzee Saisa

The Kenya-Tanzania border has over the years witnessed several rows between the two countries.

In May this year, Director of Criminal Investigation Officers from Nairobi were arrested in Tanzania for trespass while pursuing a cross-border car theft.

They were released after the government negotiations.