Two Kenyans held in Tanzania for working without permits

Kenya-Tanzania border in Namanga. Tanzania charges $500 for work permits for East Africans. PHOTO | NMG

By The EastAfrican
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Two Kenyans were arrested last week in central Morogoro, Tanzania, for allegedly engaging in employment without valid permits.

Morogoro region police commander, Ulrich Matei, said on Thursday that the two, identified as Mr John Kariuki and Ms Beatrice Kanyinge, where apprehended on February 23 in Gairo town following a tip-off from traders.

The police chief said Mr Kariuki introduced himself as an IT technician working with Web Technologies, a firm that is contracted by the Tanzania Revenue Authority to distribute and service electronic fiscal devices (EFDs) for issuance of receipts by retail businesses.

“On that day, he claimed that businessmen in Gairo had called him wanting their devices to be maintained. But, citizens realised he wasn’t working with the said TRA agent after demanding Tsh30,000 ($13) payment for repairing a device,” said Mr Matei.

Ms Kanyinge was arrested for what Mr Matei said was inviting Mr Kariuki into the country and also working at without the necessary documents.

“They were found with expired Web Technologies identity cards, passports, EFDs, blower, screwdriver, three mobile phones and Tsh30,000,” Mr Matei said.

He said investigations so far show that the two no longer work for Web Technologies.

Tanzania charges $500 for work permits for East Africans.