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Tanzania poll chaos: Two dead, scores injured at Namanga border
Tension remains high at the Namanga border after a day-long protest.
Two Tanzanian nationals have been shot dead and scores of others injured during a day-long protest at the Namanga One Stop Border Post.
Kajiado County Commander Alex Shikondi said the two men aged 27 and 28 were hit by bullets shot by the Tanzania Police Force (TPF) officers.
"The officers were shooting in frenzy from the Tanzanian side, at protestors who were on the Kenyan side of the border point," said Mr Shikondi.
What began as peaceful protests by hundreds of Tanzanians condemning the Wednesday polls in their motherland degenerated into chaos in the afternoon.
The protestors had evaded a contingent of Tanzania police officers by crossing to the Kenyan side where they lit bonfires. During the rampage, they destroyed Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu’s campaign banners.
At one point, the Tanzanian protestors, backed by a score of Kenyans, were recorded pelting TPF officers with stones, chanting slogans against Tanzanian authorities.
Tensed Namanga border point where Tanzanian police engaged in running battles with protesters. Two people have been killed.
However, TPF officers retaliated by lobbing tear gas canisters and firing in a frenzy towards the protestors.
Kajiado County Police Commander Alex Shikondi told Nation the victims were shot by TPF officers and rushed to Kenyan hospitals where two were declared dead.
"A Tanzanian male adult aged 27 years had sustained an injury during the demonstrations held in Tanzania near Namanga border and had been rushed to Namanga sub-County Hospital. Police officers visited the facility and the said victim was found with an open wound. A second victim, 28-year-old, was found unconscious with a wound on the mouth," said Mr Shikondi
Kajiado Governor Joseph Lenku has urged Kenyan traders based at both Namanga and Tarakea border entry in Loitokitok to maintain peace and avoid properties destruction.
Earlier in the day, an internet shutdown on the Tanzanian side had interrupted movement of goods and people at border. Trucks ferrying perishable goods and tourists' vehicles were parked at a bay adjacent to customs offices.
Tension remains palpable at the border point.
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