NOT YET ‘UHURU’

…as Kenyan importers decry Tanzania curbs

NAIROBI- Restrictions have not eased on the Kenya-Tanzania borderpoints of Isebania and Namanga, with  six Kenyan fishermen being arrested by Tanzanian police on Wednesday evening.

After President Samia Suluhu and his host Uhuru Kenyatta announced lifting of trade barriers, truck drivers in Isebania are still not being allowed to move freely into Tanzania.

And in Namanga, no maize imports are allowed yet President Kenyatta ordered clearance of trucks loaded with the grain.

Customs officials said they are waiting for communication from Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) to lift the ban on maize imports.

AFA on March 5 banned importation of maize from Tanzania and Uganda, arguing that the grains have high aflatoxin levels.

Namanga customs boss Joseph Muywaywa said no truck loaded with maize has been cleared.

“We are waiting for a circular from the AFA authorising us to clear the cargo. Once a trader presents a certificate, we will clear them right away. We now expect businesses to begin importing maize from Tanzania following the President’s directive,” Muywaywa said.

A trader urged concerned government agencies to speed up the clearance.  “We have incurred losses running into millions of shillings since the maize imports were banned five months ago,” he said.

In Isebania, drivers and businesspeople interviewed by the Nation said crossing the border has become an uphill task, with many being made to wait at the parking bays as goods are loaded.

And as the two presidents were announcing measures to improve trade, Tanzanian authorities arrested six Kenyan fishermen and impounded two boats at Kibro Beach in Muhuru Bay.

Kibro Beach Management Unit chairman Maulid Joel said the Tanzanians are demanding Sh50, 000 to release each vessel. – DAILY NATION, Kenya.