Row persists between Kenya and Tanzania over border fee

By LUKE ANAMI

A row is brewing between Kenyan traders and Tanzania’s custom officials following the introduction of Sh16, 400 ($200) levy at the Namanga border.

Tanzania’s custom officials continue to defy an order by their East African Community minister Samuel Sitta that the levy against Kenyan traders’ crossing to Tanzania be abolished.

Tanzanian Revenue Authority (TRA) is not only levying the amount, but is also said to have increased it to $300 (Sh 25,000) in defiance of Sitta’s directive, 48 hours after it was given.

Kenya’s minister of East Africa Co-operation Musa Sirma addresses border officials during Kenya-Tanzania rally in Namanga, as his counterpart from Tanzania Samuel Sitta (right) looks on. [PHOTO: MOSES OMUSULA /STANDARD]

This has insensed Kenyan truck drivers who are threatening to block the border in retaliation – the same way they did with Taita-Taveta Kenya-Tanzania border point of Holili following a similar incident.

"We do not understand why we are being asked to pay more while trucks from Tanzania part with only $25. We shall barricade this road," said a truck driver.

At a recent meeting at Namanga border post, attended by Kenya’s East Africa Community minister, Musa Sirma, and customs and immigration officials from both sides, the Tanzanian minister blamed TRA officials for the mishap.

"Customs officials have no authority to introduce new tariffs without consultations with the ministry of EAC and other relevant ministries of the Republic of Tanzania," Sitta said.

"The $200 is undermining the spirit of EAC integration and business along our borders and should not be allowed to continue. Its purpose is to prevent the implementation of a Common Market," he stated.

Sitta said the amount is only levied for purposes of work permits. "TRA officials should examine the immigration forms carefully to avoid a situation where a trader bringing in food or livestock for sell is penalized," he said.

Tanzania’s actions are against the spirit of the EAC Common Market, which came into force in 2010 and calls for free movement of goods and people across the region. If the matter remains unsolved, traders from both sides stand to incur losses.

Trade barriers

Sirma said such levies have fueled smuggling along Kenya-Tanzania border and should be removed. He ordered a similar levy by Kajiado County council be withdrawn against vehicles on transit on the Arusha-Namanga-Athi River road.

"When Tanzania outlawed maize exports to Kenya, our people still ate Tanzania’s maize. There is no need to introduce the levy because the goods will find their way to Kenya anyway," Sirma said. "

A visit by The Standard On Sunday to Namanga established that ten trucks were packed on the road on the Kenyan side of the border.

Ironically trucks from Tanzania were also denied entry following TRA’s move.The most affected are tourists and truck drivers crossing to Tanzania.

The double taxation is is against the EAC Council of minister’s decision to allow tourist vans to cross over without paying a fresh. "We have been made to understand that they are still levying the amount, nothing has changed," William Ojonyo, Chairman Kenya International Freight & Warehousing Association said.

Cause of misunderstanding

Ojonyo faulted Tanzania for not differentiating between work permit fees and trade license fees, which Kenya levies on foreign trucks. "The Sh 2,075, which Kenya’s immigration officials levy for the purposes of controlling foreign vehicles in the country, is not a trade barrier but theirs is," Ojonyo said.

He alleged that Tanzanian authorities harass small-scale traders from Kenya for hawking at Namanga.

Ironically, foodstuffs such as maize flour, onions, and oranges sold in Nairobi come from Tanzania.

"Majority of the hawkers seen here are from Tanzania, yet we are not allowed to trade there."

"Those found there are arrested, and fined Sh30, 000 or given a jail term of more than three years," complained Salim. Kenyan traders have threatened to retaliate by blocking Tanzanian nationals on the Kenyan side.