Armed police injure 30, arrest 12 in Ngorongoro land fiasco - MP

MP Emanuel Ole Shangai has released a list of people injured allegedly by Tanzanian security forces during the eviction of Maasais in the Ngorongoro wildlife reserve. 

Shangai told the Star on the phone from Loliondo in Tanzania that on the list are 30 women and men who suffered bullet injuries on their legs, shoulders, and hands.

Among the injured, too, is Orias Olengiyo, 70, who suffered a broken leg. The MP said the elderly man was caught in clashes between the armed police officers and the Maasai morans on June 11.

Thirteen women with broken arms and legs are on the list, and most of them were taken either to Bomet county hospital or other private hospitals in Kenya.

Arusha Regional Commissioner, John Mongella denied any knowledge of the injured, adding that no patient from the alleged clashes has been received in the country’s health facilities around Loliondo or Arusha.

“We are warning the media from taking part in this smear campaign against the government. The Ngorongoro Maasai are moving out voluntarily from the wildlife reserve and have taken up houses in Handeni,” said Mongella.

But the area MP claimed those injured were moved out of the country into Kenya for fear of arrest.

“They have maimed you using guns, will you wait for them to come for you?” asked Shangai.

He said the area police arrested two people’ Sangau Nkiminis and Inkoi Kanjwei.

“The leaders arrested which include elected councillors are 10 and their whereabouts are not known. The situation in Ngorongoro is worse than I am explaining to you on the phone. One old man suspected to have been injured on June 11 is missing,” claimed the MP.

The legislator said by Monday evening, no death had been reported after the violent attack on the Ngorongoro Maasai by armed forces.

He said he will table the matter in parliament this week.

“I will table many issues on the floor of the parliament. We need answers to what is going on in Ngorongoro. My people are treated unfairly by the state,” said the MP.

Narok senator Ladema Olekina told the Star on Monday he has joined forces with other Maasai leaders in taking the Tanzanian government to International Court.

“We can no longer stand a government that has no respect for its citizens. We cannot afford to see more blood being spilt for wrong reasons,” said Olekina, who also said he was heading to Loliondo.