Ombudsman wants Ogongo report enacted

Commission for Administrative Justice (CAJ) chairperson Florence Kajuju. [File, Standard]

Commission for Administrative Justice (CAJ) chairperson Florence Kajuju has asked for the implementation of the Zachary Ogongo Commission Report (2009) to address the border row between Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties.

The row has always been a thorn in the flesh for the national government, and the two devolved units.

In addition to the two governments claiming ownership of the disputed sections near the border, residents of the two counties often engage in confrontations and destruction of property.

Speaking during a stakeholders meeting in Meru town Tuesday, Ms Kajuju said the Ogongo report needs to be implemented to curb the border conflict and restore unity among residents.

“We have written to various ministries questioning them as to why the recommendations of the report have not been implemented. We are following that up because the views we have gathered are if the report and recommendations are implemented, the conflicts that we have been having constantly can be resolved,” she said.

Residents living along the border who had for a long time accused government officials of not doing enough to prevent deaths, injuries and displacements made an appeal to the Ombudsman to intervene, for them to attain justice.

Kajuju, a former Meru woman representative, said it is upon the government to take the action.