Kajiado county commissioner Harsama Kello speaks in Loitokitok on October 14, 2017. [PHOTO/the-star.co.ke]
Tanzania has turned petty against people from Kenya.
This is according to Kajiado County Commissioner Harsama Kello.
His sentiments come after authorities in Tanzania arrested five Maasai herders from Kenya and confiscated their livestock for grazing on Tanzanian soil.
Tanzania's minister for livestock then on Wednesday ordered that the livestock be auctioned later on Friday, something that was stopped by the courts after the herders decided to petition the decision.
Kello dispatched a group of six elders in Thursday to negotiate the release of the herders.
His efforts hit a snag on Saturday when the Kilimanjaro regional commissioner told him off, saying he should negotiate with Dar es Salaam since the matter was "above" her.
"She told me to contact their livestock minister because it is the top official who issued orders that no Kenyan livestock should cross into their country. I was amazed by the new development."
Kilimanjaro provincial commissioner Mohamed Mushora later ordered the arrest of Metoi and five other leaders who had gone to Tanzania to negotiate the release of the livestock.
"This matter is of great concern to the people of Kajiado South, and by extension the government of Kenya," he said.
"We have been doing business with Tanzanian authorities across the border and dealing with crime without involving Dar es Salaam. I am shocked that a petty matter involving cows is now being handled by a Tanzanian minister."
"As we speak, there is a lot of tension out there. This may be followed by violent reactions to Tanzanian interests along the border line. Tanzania may have itself to blame for any wrong move."