President John Pombe in a past event. He says Kenya is at liberty to detail Tanzanian nationals who break the law just like the case of his government of foreign nationals. [Photo|Mzalendo]
Defiant Tanzanian President John Magufuli insists that President Uhuru Kenyatta is at liberty to prosecute Tanzanian nationals who break the law, just like his government does.
At Kagera on Monday, Magufuli insisted that Tanzania authorities will arrest and prosecute Kenyans who break the law when they cross over the border.
"Our neighbours are at liberty to arrest our nationals who break the law just like my government will apply similar approach," he said.
The relationship between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam has yet again hit another low following Tanzanian government's decision to auction over 1300 cattle belong to Kenyan herders when they allegedly failed to pay tax.
Ever since taking office, Magufuli's relationship with Nairobi has been rocky despite visiting the country with analysts relating his attitude to dalliance with Kenyan's opposition leader Raila odinga.
"Tanzania is not a grazing farm for other countries and that is why we have stated that we are going to take actions according to our own law," he said.
At Mombasa on Thursday, Kenyan government spokesperson Erick Kiraithe defended Tanzanian's action saying the law of a foreign state must be respected.
"They may be right because it's their law and foreigners must respect it. We are however involved in high level talks."
Recently, the two countries's diplomatic relationship was put under test when both governments reinforced reprisals on cotton trading.