Nominated MP for Special Interest Groups Isaac Mwaura has launched an awareness campaign on albinism ahead of the October 25 Tanzania general election.
The 'Niko na Haki' drive aims at
ensuring Kenyans protect their relatives living with albinism.
“Tanzanians have this superstitious belief that the skin and hair of albinos can help win elections or bring wealth which causes an upsurge of killings during their elections,” Mwaura said.
Speaking in Murang'a town on Saturday, he said more than 80 people living with albinism have lost their lives in Tanzania, "yet the Tanzanian government has not taken any actions against culprits".
Mwaura said Tanzanian cartels have employed some Kenyans and other East Africans to abduct albinos and ferry them to the Tanzania.
He said the Albinism Society of Kenya has saved three albinos who had been abducted and were being ferried to Tanzania.
Mwaura said the kidnapping of albinos has become a regional issue that needs to be combated by the East African countries.
"Rwanda and Burundi have also started recording cases of missing albinos," he said.
Mwaura also called on the government to conduct a census on the people living with albinism and put in place measures to adequately protect them.
He said lack of official statistics has hampered the fight against violence on albinos and frustrated efforts to provide supplies that would make their lives easier.
Mwaura however said the government is providing sunscreen for them through the 'Niko na Haki' campaign.
He pleaded with Kenyans to embrace albinos as part of the society.