Keep off land dispute, executive director LDGI tells governors

The boundary dispute between Meru and Isiolo is not a matter for the two governors to decide, a land workshop was told yesterday.

Speaking at the Thiiri Cultural Centre in Imenti North sub county, Mwenda Makathimo, the executive director of the Land Development and Governance Institute (LDGI) said governors Peter Munya and Godana Doyo should let the relevant institutions identify the border, which is already gazetted.

“It is not good for the county leaders to fight over the border issue,” he said.

Mr Makathimo was talking to Njuri Ncheke elders, clergy, and other stakeholders during a forum to educate them on the Constitution and new land laws.

He said people of the two counties have co-existed in peace for ages, and it is not good to foment enmity over boundary.

 “It is not the work of Isiolo and Meru county governments to decide which part of the land is in their county. Leaders must exercise caution on boundary issues because we do not have war and will never have one,” he said.

EXERCISE CAUTION

The land economist said Government’s land gazette notices exist and clearly show the boundaries, adding that there was no need for such confrontations.

“Maps of the last land gazette (1992) are in the office of the President and Director of Survey. There should be no boundary dispute because the gazette notice of 1992 is known. If there is any alteration of the boundary of a county, it will only be through Parliament, not through the IEBC or Land ministry,” Makathimo added.

He said it was regrettable that Isiolo and Meru governments were haggling over cess collection.