Tanzanian Consulate in Kenya visits 109 fishermen in prison

Dar es Salaam. The government has made an official communication with authorities in Kenya regarding 109 Tanzanians who were arrested during the weekend in connection to illegal fishing. 

The fishermen, according to reports from Kenya, were arrested in Shimoni a port village near border of the two countries.

Permanent secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East Africa Cooperation Prof Adolf Mkenda told The Citizen on Thursday that Tanzania’s Consulate in Mombasa had already visited the inmates in Kwale Prison where they are remanded.

“Our High Commissioner in Nairobi (Dr Pindi Chana) has sent an official communication to the government of Kenya regarding the, matter to see how best could the issue be handled,” he said.

He said, the inmates who are residents of Tanga regions said they crossed the Tanzania-Kenya border in the Indian Ocean unknowingly given that there is no physical border to mark the ocean that has been placed so far.

“But they are in a good condition according to our Consulate in Mombasa who paid them a visit in prison,” added Prof Mkenda.

Kenyan Business Daily newspaper reported that the Tanzanian were remained after they failed to raise a cash bail of Ksh20,000 (about Sh450,000).

But Lunga Lunga MP Khatib Mwashetani appealed for the fishermen's release, urging Deputy President William Ruto to intervene to avoid a diplomatic row between the two countries.

"Those who were arrested are our brothers and we share a lot in common because most of the people living in Shimoni depend on fishing for their livelihood," he said.

Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Livestock development Abdallah Ulega the fishermen were arrested in accordance to the fishing laws of Kenya.

“When it comes to legal framework on fishing activities, each country has its own laws. The government is aware of it,” he said.

Adding, “We have engaged ministry of foreign affairs and the police force to see how we could handle the matter.”