Tension as governors fight for town

By NAFTAL MAKORI

Kenya: Conflict between Kisii and Nyamira county governments has deepened as both compete to collect revenue from the border town of Keroka.

For over a year, Governors James Ongwae of Kisii and John Nyagarama of Nyamira have been in a tug-of-war to control the management of the town. Attempts by Kisii County Government to send revenue collectors to the town were resisted by a group of youths.

Tension has continued to rise, as traders are afraid that the conflict may affect their business. Kisii County Deputy Governor Joash Maangi said the conflict was fast generating into a security issue.

“As leaders, we must sit together and iron out the differences before it is too late. I must admit the matter is becoming into a security issue,” Maangi said.

There have been reports that some unscrupulous people have been taking advantage of the state of uncertainty among traders to collect revenue in the town using fake receipts. 

The town’s revenue, which is approximately Sh 2 million per month, has continued to decline as a section of traders refuse to remit money to revenue collectors.

Charles Moseti, who was recently employed by the County Government of Nyamira as the town administrator said the town is peaceful except for a few individuals who have been inciting the traders against each other.

“There was lack of order last week but normalcy has returned,” said Mr Moseti.

Political leaders from both Kisii and Nyamira held a meeting at a Nairobi hotel, to deliberate on the sensitive boundary dispute.  Among those in the meeting were some county executive committee members, Governors, Senators and MPs from the two counties.

ODM front

Meanwhile, Dagorreti North MP Simba Arati who was vying to be ODM party leader against former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has been ousted from his post at the constituency level.

He was dismissed as the Dagoretti Sub-County ODM chairman and replaced by Collins Ndisio who was the treasurer. The members accused Arati of neglecting them since been elected to office and making decisions without consulting them, such as his decision to ran for the ODM’s top post.Members also complained that Arati concretes more on his duty as a member of parliament forgetting  other responsibilities therefore not able to be effective in sub-branch activities. He was seeking to challenge Raila before the botched elections at Kasarani two weeks ago.