Kenyans and Tanzanians residing along the border of the two countries have been urged to maintain peace.
Officials from Kenya and Tanzania have emphasised the need for residents from the two countries to live in harmony
Tanzania Tarime District Council District Commissioner Edward Gowele and the Trans Mara South Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Abdihakim Jubat, visited the Kenya-Tanzania border at Ang'ata Barikoi to promote peace amongst the residents living along the border.
Speaking to residents from both Kenya and Tanzania, the leaders emphasised the need to live in harmony, following the example set by Kenya's President William Ruto, and his Tanzania counterpart Samia Suluhu Hassan, who maintain cordial relations.
On his part, Trans Mara South DCC, Jubat said they are committed to working hand in hand with his Tarime counterpart to eliminate crime in the area.
"What we agreed with residents is what we shall do to make sure we maintain peace," Jubat said.
He encouraged residents along the border to maintain their strong sense of brotherhood, continue their businesses, and work hand-in-hand with security agencies.
He urged them to stay vigilant and promptly report any security concerns to ensure a safer community for all.
Gowele said people should cease taking the law into their hands and attacking their neighbours.
Gowele acknowledged there is a challenge of livestock and crop theft cases within the area, noting that whoever engages in such illegal activities will face the law regardless of whether they are Kenyans or Tanzanians.
He also echoed the sentiments of DCC Jubat saying that people should live cordially, visit one another and conduct their daily businesses harmoniously.
Ang'ata Barikoi Ward MCA Joseph Koech advised both Kenyans and Tanzanians to foster business interactions and other nation-building activities and cease engaging in illegal activities.
In other news dated November 14, 2024, the East African Community (EAC) had for the longest time been championing the integration of its people through socioeconomic activities with respect to their customs, religion and traditions.
Even though the integration had not yet fully been realised, the communities living along the borders of the EAC have continued to champion their own agendas of ensuring peaceful coexistence.
The communities along the EAC border have always shared their social economic venture, customs and religion norms because of their shared identities through family ties.
For instance, the community largely living around the borders of Muhuru Bay (Nyatike) and their counterparts from Shirati-Mara Tanzania are of Luo descent sharing family blood, customs and religion.
The same applies to the Kuria community residing at the border of Isebania (Kenya) and Sirare (Tanzania), and the Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania at the Namanga border.
It is in this respect that the community around Muhuru Bay and adjacent villages joined their counterparts across the border in Tanzania for a festival where cultures, customs, traditions and religions were shared.
