NCIC report sparks anxiety on Taita Taveta, Kwale Counties boundary

Remarks by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) that county boundaries will not be changed have triggered a storm in Taita Taveta County.

Last Thursday, MCAs adjourned the assembly and toured the disputed areas of Miasenyi, Mackinon Road, Mbele Primary School and Landi Ya Mwembeni.

They addressed political rallies where they accused the national government of doing little to address the long-standing boundary dispute.

The leaders vowed to erect a signpost at Landi Ya Mwembeni near Taru trading centre, where they say lies the boundary between Taita Taveta and Kwale counties, today.

Armed police, led by Voi OCPD Joshua Lutukai and his Kinango counterpart Justine Nyaga kept vigil during the rallies.

Taita Taveta assembly Speaker Meshack Maghanaga and 14 MCAs both from Jubilee and CORD claimed the boundary was tampered with to favour their Kwale counterparts.

The MCAs included Lands committee chair Flumence Mshilla, Deputy Majority leader Hope Mwakio, Majority Whip Jason Tuja and Minority Deputy Whip Rachael Dawai.

Paul Waweru, Levy Mwazala, Roselyn Mshambala, Elisha Mwaisaka, Harris Keke, Elizabeth Mwatela, Valery Mwadime, Naima Swale, Francis Rongaine and Jones Maskuji were the other MCAs at the rallies.

"We have documentary evidence showing that Landi ya Mwembeni is the original boundary separating the two counties," said the speaker.

NCIC chairperson Francis Ole Kaparo and commissioner Gitile Naituli said boundaries of 27 counties that are seeking to expand their territories would not be adjusted.

"There is misconception in the counties that boundaries can be changed. The boundaries are based on the Districts and Provinces Act of 1992. The disputes have been exaggerated," said Mr Kaparo.

Seek dialogue

Speaking in Taita-Taveta yesterday, the former National Assembly Speaker and County Commissioner Oningoi Ole Sosio challenged leaders of the two counties to seek dialogue instead of resorting to violence.

"The boundary issue needs dialogue. Let us discuss and talk to one another. Let us use logic and not force. Use persuasion and not coercion," he told the leaders.

Kwale Deputy Governor Fatma Achani termed the action by Taita-Taveta leaders as illegal.

"Whatever the leaders are doing is illegal. We are following the law on our part," Ms Achani said.

In an interview yesterday,  Achani said anyone found inciting Kenyans to violence should be arrested and prosecuted.

"We have been open to our counterparts on the boundary issue. The problem is that Taita leaders have constantly been failing to attend consultative meetings geared towards finding a lasting solution to the problem," said Achani.