Vanga: Fishermen in the Vanga area of Kwale County are expressing concerns over alleged harassment by Tanzanian police. The fishermen have been accused of fishing on the Tanzanian side of the Indian Ocean and using illegal fishing gear.
According to Kenya News Agency, the fishermen have reported that the harassment by Tanzanian security officers has reached an unbearable level. They are calling on the government to establish a clear boundary to resolve the ongoing disputes. The Vanga community, situated near the Kenya-Tanzania border, relies mainly on fishing and small-scale rice farming for their livelihood.
Women in the community, who typically do not engage in fishing, have turned to small-scale fish trading. This business faces numerous challenges due to the shared ocean resources with Tanzania, which controls a significant portion of the fishing area. Both the fishermen and vendors are pleading for government intervention, claiming that Tanzanian police patrolling the sea are often harsh on Kenyan fishermen who inadvertently cross the border in search of fish.
Bwamrii Masha, a fisherman, shared experiences of being caught by Tanzanian officers, describing punitive measures such as flogging, being forced to eat raw fish, or performing menial tasks before being released. Senior Chief Kama Abdallah of Vanga Location highlighted that while the area is generally safe from criminal gangs, issues such as human trafficking, illegal trade, and drug smuggling persist. He emphasized the need for improved cross-border cooperation with Tanzania to address these concerns and prevent criminals from exploiting the border as a refuge.
Chief Abdallah pointed out the proximity of a Tanzanian police unit to Vanga, noting complaints of harassment and confiscation of identification cards from Kenyan citizens. He urged for more collaborative meetings between Kenyan and Tanzanian leaders to address cross-border issues effectively. Abdallah also mentioned challenges related to the registration of fishermen, with only 450 out of 980 holding licenses, and the necessity for fishermen to sometimes venture into Tanzanian waters due to changing fish patterns.
Tanzanian Chairman of the Beach Management Unit, Shauri Athman, acknowledged the arrest and punishment of Kenyan fishermen for violations on the Tanzanian side. He stated that certain areas are designated as off-limits to fishermen from both countries, yet Kenyan fishermen continue to fish there.
Ali Suleiman, Chairman of Jasini Village in Tanzania, urged Kenyan fishermen to comply with Tanzanian laws to avoid penalties. He explained that a 15-kilometer zone is accessible with a letter from local authorities, but beyond this, a passport is required. Suleiman called for cooperation between local leaders to address these issues, noting challenges in information sharing with Kenyan leaders.
Mwanatumu Kadau, Director of the Grassroots Women Rights Centre in Vanga, advocated for peaceful co-existence along the border. She called for dialogue between leaders of Jasini and Vanga villages to resolve ongoing challenges and support a peace initiative to find a lasting solution to border disputes.