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Moving the Maasai: Tanzania is repeating Kenya's colonial past

A section of Maasai from the Matapato, Kajiado, stage a demonstration at Namanga on June 17, 2020. [File, Standard]

Images of distressed members of the Maasai community being forcibly moved from their homes, beaten and harassed by police and the army in northern Tanzania in June set social media alight with concern. Activists have since voiced their anger over land and human rights, and they have good reason to do so.

The Maasai live in Kenya and Tanzania. Traditionally nomadic pastoralists, many have now settled and diversified their livelihoods.

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