A fresh boundary dispute between Meru and Tharaka Nithi has erupted after a Meru legislator issued a cheque for an office in Kaboto market, claimed by both counties.
Tigania West MP David Karithi on Wednesday issued a cheque for Sh400,000 to upgrade the assistant chief’s office.
However, Karithi’s meeting was disrupted by Tharaka South deputy commissioner John Ayienda.
Speaking to the press in Meru on Thursday, Karithi said the administrator intercepted him while he was speaking.
“He grabbed the mic and I asked who he was. I was told he is Tharaka South deputy commissioner. I asked him what he was coming to do in Tigania West but he said the area is in Tharaka and we should leave immediately,” Karithi said.
“I was very surprised as I always knew the area is in Meru county since the chief and assistant chief is answerable to the deputy county commissioner in Tigania West.”
He said the venue is just 200 metres from Kiorimba chief’s home.
Karithi said the administrator was accompanied by two politicians.
On Thursday violence broke out in Kaboto after Tharaka Nithi Governor Samuel Ragwa and Senator Kithure Kindiki confronted Meru’s Tigania West deputy county commissioner Alfred Makau.
Makau had snubbed a meeting in Miomponi shopping centre on the border and gone to Kaboto market.
Karithi said the administrator was accompanied by two politicians.
Makau’s guards shot live bullets and fired tear gas to disperse the crowd after he was hit with a stone. It was thrown by residents who had accompanied the two leaders to Kaboto.
Kindiki dared the officers to shoot him dead instead of firing at the people.
