Governors refute claim town will be taken over

By NAFTAL MAKORI

Kisii and Nyamira counties: Nyamira County Governor John Nyagarama has moved to quell disquiet among residents over claims that Kisii County will take over the management of Keroka town.

The take-over fears escalated over a week ago after the Transition Authority (TA) published an advisory on assessment and classification of urban areas and cities which indicated the town is located in Kisii contrary to popular view. Residents say at least 90 per cent of the town lies within Nyamira County.

Over the weekend, the governor hosted more than 20 elders drawn from Rigoma Division at his Mosebeti Village. The elders expressed anger over the alleged take-over and demanded clarification. They threatened mass action unless Kisii County’s move to control the town stopped.

Led by John Mogere, the elders said the conflict was unnecessary as a boundary dispute does not exist between the two counties. They said Kisii had enough towns and should let Keroka remain in Nyamira, arguing that TA was courting trouble by indicating that the town belongs to Kisii.  “We will not accept such a move. If our town is taken, this county would be crippled,” said Mogere.

Two months ago, The Standard reported the controversy that seemed to heighten amid claims the Kisii governor was plotting to control management of the town.

The Kisii county government wants revenue from the town to be shared equally. They also want the town isolated and controlled by an independent management board appointed by governors of both counties.

Ichuni ward representative Francis Aburi said the proposal would benefit both counties. He once served as the town council chairman. Initially three councillors from the Kisii side and another three from Nyamira were in charge of the town.

“If Keroka is left exclusively to Nyamira County, development on the other side would suffer,” he said.

Residents’ interests

“I wish to reassure residents that Keroka is under Nyamira contrary to reports that it has been taken over. I have talked to TA and they have confirmed what they published was erroneous,” said Nyagarama. But Kisii Governor James Ongwae dismissed claims he wants to capture the town.

“No county has effectively developed structures to manage the towns under them as per the Cities and Urban Centres Act, 2012. The town is unique because it lies on the border but nobody is plotting a take-over. We are consulting to find the best way to enhance development in the best interests of our people,” he said.