A fresh row is brewing between Nyamira and Kisii counties over the boundaries of Keroka town.
On Sunday, Nyamira county officials demolished kiosks and other properties deemed to be on the Kisii side of the town.
Some people, including a police officer, were injured during the fracas, igniting tension between the two counties.
Nyaribari Masaba MP Ezekiel Machogu on Wednesday told Nyamira county to respect administrative and political boundaries.
“We all agree that 70 per cent of Keroka town is in Nyamira and the rest in Kisii. However, Nyamira should not interfere with Kisii county,” the MP said.
Machogu who spoke to the Star on phone condemned the Sunday incident.
“We are currently fighting the coronavirus pandemic and all energies should be channelled there, not in solving boundary disputes,” the MP said.
He said they shall follow up on the issue after the coronavirus is contained.
On Tuesday, Machogu, Kisii Governor James Ongwae and the security team held a meeting at the Agriculture Training Center in Kisii. They appealed to locals to remain calm.
“The mood and focus of national and county governments are to fight Covid-19. Destruction of people’s businesses and earning is wrong,” Machogu said.
The MP said his CDF kitty would finance the construction of a police station on the Kisii side while the county government would give Sh5 million for other amenities.
“This is intended to restore order, protect properties and boundary,” Machogu said.
But Nyamira Roads executive John Omanwa refuted claims of encroaching into Kisii.
“The issue of boundary dispute was resolved in 2014. Kisii county has not disowned the agreements that were arrived at and Nyamira will continue to develop Keroka town.
“Governor John Nyagarama is keen on leaving a legacy and developing Keroka town is top on his agenda,” Omanwa said.
In 2014, the two counties agreed to jointly manage the town with Nyamira appointing an administrator and Kisii a deputy administrator.
They also agreed to come up with a joint management committee comprising of a chairman, vice-chairman and five members. However, this was not implemented.
(edited by o. owino)