Kenya releases 109 Tanzanian fishermen
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Dr Susan Kolimba
What you need to know:
- According to reports, the two governments are still in talks to further resolve the matter.
Dar es Salaam. A total of 109 Tanzanian fishermen who were recently detained in Kenya for allegedly conducting illegal fishing in the Indian Ocean have been released on bail, the government has said.
According to reports, the two governments are still in talks to further resolve the matter.
The fishermen were held for allegedly carrying out fishing activities at Shimoni in southeastern Kenya near the border with Tanzania, according to the reports.
Following the accusations, the suspects were taken to the Kadhi Court at Kwale in Kenya where they were put under custody after they failed to pay the bail amount, which was pegged at Ksh20,000 (equivalent to Sh450, 000) each.
To resolve the case, the Tanzanian government intervened by holding official talks with Kenyan officials with a view to bailing them out.
Speaking to The Citizen yesterday, the deputy minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Dr Susan Kolimba (pictured), confirmed that the fishermen had already returned home after they were bailed out.
“They have already been set free from detention. However, the talks between the two governments are still going on,” she said.
However, the deputy minister refused to disclose further details concerning the matter, insisting that the government was holding talks with the neighbouring state to resolve the matter amicably.
