Where the name ‘local’ takes on a different meaning
By Peter Thatiah
Every international boundary has its own unique border problems. To the inhabitants of the southern coastal frontier of Kenya, most of whom pay certain taxes to the neighbouring country, the whole edifice gains an all new meaning altogether.
The laidback region, inhabited by a diverse community, is the more easygoing of the two countries.
Vanga town in Msambweni constituency sits at the southernmost tip of the country, bordering Tanzania on the Indian Ocean. Dating back to half a millennia since its establishment and boasting a population of 5,000, the town that once was one of Kenya’s chief seaports is well ahead of its better days.
The heterogeneous society, a sizeable percentage of whom are Tanzanians, lives off fishing and cross-border trade. Deep in the coconut country to the south and west, a traditional Mijikenda community does not care whether they are in Kenya or Tanzania. They still live in communal compounds like their ancestors did, as the concept of land ownership is yet to be adapted by these forgotten people.
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Every international boundary has its own unique border problems. To the inhabitants of the southern coastal frontier of Kenya, most of whom pay certain taxes to the neighbouring country, the whole edifice gains an all new meaning altogether.
The laidback region, inhabited by a diverse community, is the more easygoing of the two countries.
Vanga town in Msambweni constituency sits at the southernmost tip of the country, bordering Tanzania on the Indian Ocean. Dating back to half a millennia since its establishment and boasting a population of 5,000, the town that once was one of Kenya’s chief seaports is well ahead of its better days.
The heterogeneous society, a sizeable percentage of whom are Tanzanians, lives off fishing and cross-border trade. Deep in the coconut country to the south and west, a traditional Mijikenda community does not care whether they are in Kenya or Tanzania. They still live in communal compounds like their ancestors did, as the concept of land ownership is yet to be adapted by these forgotten people.
Read More
posted by Mwananchi at 5:32 PM
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