Dodoma — THE National Assembly was on Monday told there has been an influx of illegal immigrants to Ikoma and Nyabirongo villages in Tarime District from neighbouring Kenya.

Rorya MP, Mr Lameck Okambo Airo (CCM), told the House that the illegal immigrants were of Kurya tribe which is also spoken in Tarime, making it difficult to differentiate them from local people.

Mr Airo further said the immigrants have caused extensive destruction to property, environment and also participated in recent riots in the area in which many people lost lives.

The MPs demanded the government's intervention and wondered how crimes such as cattle rustling, theft and robbery were rampant in Tarime and Rorya despite being a special police zone.

The Deputy Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Pereira Silima, said despite the challenge of having a common language on both sides of the border efforts were being made to identify foreigners. He said immigration and police officers in collaboration with local leaders in the area have so far apprehended 107 aliens.

He said 58 Kenyans were found at Kogaja village, 18 at Nyamasande village and 31 at Ikoma village. Meanwhile, between January and April this year, 84 illegal immigrants were arrested and prosecuted for staying in the country unlawfully. The immigrants included Ethiopians Congolese, Kenyans, Danish and Burundi nationals.