Fear has gripped Kenyans living in Tanzania, after reports emerged alleging that Tanzanian authorities were planning to kick out Kenyans.
The reports are said to have been fueled by President John Magufuli who ordered for a national census. The census is said to be targeting illegal workers in the country.
Magufuli, since his swearing in as Tanzanian president which both President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga attended, has made some declarations that put a strain on the Kenya-Tanzania relations.
In December 2015, Magufuli mentioned Brookside Dairy Limited – a company owned by the Kenyatta family – as having conducted ‘unfriendly’ business practices in his country.
Magufuli said the company would not be allowed to collect milk in Tanzania and transport to Kenya for processing.
In January 2016, Kenyans reacted angrily to a report published by a Tanzanian newspaper that the country had commenced on evicting foreigners.
Tanzania authorities later explained that the operation did not target Kenyans only and it did not mean that they were against foreigners.