Plans are underway for the construction of a Kenya/Tanzania immigration office in a bid to facilitate movement between the two countries. The office will be built close to the shared border of the two East African countries, particularly in the Olposimoru area of Narok West Sub County.
According to Gabriel Tongoyo, a member of parliament for Narok West, Kenya has already set aside a parcel of its land for the project. It is currently waiting for Tanzania to contribute an equal part.
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Tongoyo made this statement while on a tour to deliver a patrol car to the police station at the border. Tongoyo is also the head of the National Assembly Committee on national security and Administration.
He was accompanied by National Security Committee member Joseph Mburu of the Lari constituency. Protus Akujah of the Loima constituency was also present. Tongoyo emphasized all of the insecurity activities that were recently reported in the area. He claimed that the vehicle would help monitor the area and reduce crime.
Expected impacts of the Kenya/Tanzania immigration office
Construction of the immigration office, according to Tongoyo, would boost tourism, which is expected to catalyze local business.
He stated that the National Government started this initiative in order to promote development in the region. He also claimed that they believe that construction will start as soon as the Tanzanian side provides the land, he added.
MP Mburu stated that the project will better the standard of living for the local pastoralist communities. He also added that a number of young people from the area will be recruited to work at the point of entry.
The area’s deputy county commissioner (DCC), Duncan Darusi, commended the vehicle that had been sent to help in patrol. He acknowledged that there had been several insecurity-related incidents.
According to him, the size of the land made it difficult to address the increasing incidences of insecurity. However, the DCC is certain that the new vehicle would help provide better security.