Morogoro. Strained relations between farmers and pastoralists in Kilosa District have forced some 266 Maasai herders out of their houses which were torched by unknown people.
The people are from 38 households whose 13 homesteads were set ablaze by people believed to be farmers who invaded their colleagues at Kikenke hamlet, Mabwegere Village.
The incident, which occurred on January 18, this year, is a continuation of endless clashes between the two groups. The conflict has defied many efforts to resolve and it has continued to cause loss of human life and properties.
The 266 members of the Maasai pastoralists now live in prayer houses, including the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT) in Mabwegere. But they also face shortage of basic needs such as food, water and drugs.
Speaking to reporters who accompanied the police who toured the area, the chairman of Mabwegere Village, Mr Mika Kashu and his counterpart from Kikenke hamlet, Mr Juma Yusufu, said that the source of the conflict was the use of Kikenke Valley.
The two chairmen said the conflict was caused by farmers of Sukuma origin, who invaded the valley which they used for their agricultural activities.
But addressing Mabwegere villagers, Morogoro Regional Commissioner Musa Malambo directed Kilosa Officer Commanding District Mr Break Magesa, to look for and arrest all those who torched the Maasai bomas.
Mr Malambo also asked the village leaders to calm their people down and restrain them from retaliating, adding that police presence in the area has been scaled up.
Two members from the Maasai community have not been seen since the clashes, Mr Malambo noted, but urged the pastoralists to be calm as the law enforcers were working on the issue.
