Africa News

Report: Tanzanian police hold Kenyan in connection with albino sale

Aug 18, 2010, 12:25 GMT

   Nairobi/Dar es Salaam - Tanzanian police are holding a Kenyan man on suspicion of attempting to sell a teenage albino for his body parts, reports said Wednesday.

   Attacks against albinos have risen in East Africa, particularly in Tanzania, where witchdoctors use their body parts for potions they say bring health and wealth.

   Tanzania's Daily News said that Kenyan citizen Nathan Mtei was arrested near the town of Mwanza for allegedly trying to sell a young albino man for 400 million shillings (263,000 dollars).

   Mtei allegedly took his would-be victim over the border on the pretext of getting him a job as a driver.

   Tanzania is trying to crack down on the trade after dozens of albinos were killed for their body parts in the last few years.