Following recent killings of albino children, a protest has been arranged by the Tanzania Albinism Society (TAS) for Monday afternoon.
The demonstration is scheduled to go from Ocean Road Hospital on Barack Obama Drive to the State House in Dar es Salaam, starting at 14:00 on March 2.
“We would also like to meet President Jakaya Kikwete to tell him the ordeal that people with albinism go through,” says TAS National Chairman Ernest Kimaya.
Kimaya says nearly 80 people with albinism have been killed in Tanzania since 2005.
At a recent meeting with politicians and persons with disabilities, which Kimaya attended, the issue of albino killings increasing during election times was mentioned.
Earlier this month, 18-month-old Yohana Bahati was kidnapped and killed. He was discovered with his arms and legs chopped off.
Bahati’s mother, who has two other children with albinism, remains in hospital in critical condition due to injuries sustained in the kidnapping.
The demonstration has been authorized by police and all community members are encouraged to attend.