Kajiado police manned Namanga on Tuesday after
reports that Maasai Morans would block Tanzanian leader John Magufuli from attending Uhuru Kenyatta’s inauguration.
Resident Uhuru Sirote said some 200 Morans converged at Birika area between Namanga and Maili Tisa on Monday evening to stop Magufuli’s entourage.
“They said the President would not be allowed to use the road after what he did to 1,300 cows belonging to Ilkisonko Maasai from Kajiado South," he said on phone.
Magufuli warned that Kenyans will not be allowed to graze their animals in his country.
More than 1,300 cows were auctioned near Arusha in October for about Sh93 million. Tanzania’s Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Luhaga Mpina said they feared the cattle would spread dangerous diseases.
On November 2, Kenyan authorities got angry after Tanzania police burnt to death 6,400 day-old chicks on suspicion they could spread bird flu.
Tanzania’s regional livestock boss, Obedi Nyasembwa, said the chicks, worth about Sh554,000 (Tsh12 million), were smuggled from Kenya and were a health risk.
Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed later said talks with her counterpart would ensure understanding.
She ruled out revenge and sanctions.
Details:
Tanzanian President John Magufuli, Kenya's Uhuru Kenyatta and former Tanzanian leader Jakaya Kikwete at State House, Dar es Salaam, following Magufuli's coronation in November 2015. /PSCU
'No updates on Magufuli's mode of transport'
But Central police commander Eric Nteere said he
had not received information regarding Magufuli's use of the Namanga route from his seniors.
"My seniors alert me whenever Tanzanian dignitaries are travelling to Nairobi for official duties so I can provide escorts," he said.
But he
confirmed in the morning that he had sent a "number of officers and vehicles" to the border town for checks.
“It is true. Our intelligence on the ground leaked information that a number of Morans intended to block Magufuli’s motorcade from accessing Nairobi.
"I have done everything necessary...I have deployed enough security agents,” Nteere on phone from Kajiado.
The commander noted he had sent four
special police
escort
vehicles in case of an emergency.
“For Magufuli, we have not been told anything but I am not taking any chances because I have to be alert all the time."
Sirote reported heavy police presence in the area from last evening.
But other sources said Magufuli flew to Nairobi yesterday evening.
The Tanzanian President is among at least 20 heads of state or senior ministers who will attend the Kasarani stadium ceremony from 10am.
Organisers are expecting about 60,000 people to fill the venue and giant screens have been set up outside for those unable to get in.
Deputy President William Ruto will also be sworn-in.