Fishermen after a catch along the Kenyan Coast [Photo/wildlife.org]
Sixteen Tanzanians who were arrested in Malindi, Kilifi County on Friday for allegedly engaging in illegal fishing in Kenya’s territorial waters in the Indian Ocean will be arraigned in court on Tuesday 2nd of January.
Kilifi Police boss Matawa Muchangi speaking to the star in Kilifi said the suspects were arrested in Ngomeni area without fishing permits by the marine police unit on Friday.
"Our officers on patrol arrested the foreigners engaging in illegal fishing within Kenya ‘s territorial waters in the Indian Ocean. They violated the law and will be charged in court on Tuesday,“ said Muchangi speaking to the star on Friday.
Kilifi assistant county commissioner Karung'o Kamau speaking to reporters said that the fishermen from Tanzania are currently being questioned by police and will be taken to court and fined.
"In the past one week we have rounded up 23 Tanzanians for fishing in Kenya’s territorial water illegally,” said Kamau.
Commissioner Kamau said that fishermen from other countries were fishing illegally in the ocean at the expense of locals and some were already charged in court as others await their court day.This development comes after cattle worth over sh93m from the Maasai were auctioned by Tanzanian Authorities across the Namanga border on October 31 and chicks worth over sh600,000 were confiscated and burned by the Magufuli government.
Despite foreign affairs cabinet secretary, Amina Mohammed leading a protest against the Tanzania Government over the hostile neighbouring environment, Magufuli has remained adamant saying that they would confiscate more cattle from non-local grazers within their graze fields.Kenyan fishermen have also been arrested in the Lake Victoria by Ugandan Authorities claiming they are fishing illegally within Ugandan waters.