MP fuelling fights between devolved units, says official

An MP has been accused of fuelling a boundary dispute between Uasin Gishu and Elgeyo-Marakwet counties.

Elgeyo-Marakwet Deputy Governor Gabriel Lagat accused Ainabkoi’s Samwel Chepkong’a, whose constituency straddles the border of the two counties, of interfering with the erection of barriers at Chirchir, Kaptagat and Brokley trading centres.

Dr Lagat said Mr Chepkong’a sanctioned removal of the barriers on claims that they were illegally set up.

However, Mr Chepkonga said Elgeyo-Marakwet County illegally erected barriers to collect cess on a road that is maintained by Uasin Gishu County.

“The barriers belonged to Elgeyo-Marakwet and were put in my constituency which is in Uasin-Gishu County,” he said.

Elgeyo-Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos said Baringo County had encroached his region’s boundaries on three fronts on the eastern part; Uasin Gishu to the south west and West Pokot to the north.

Mr Tolgos said the encroachment was fuelling conflicts as it affected revenue collection, especially through road barriers at border points.

However, another factor that may be at play in the feuds is an ongoing oil exploration by Tullow, a British company.

A solution will be found only if experts, including land surveyors, are hired to establish exact boundaries as placed by white settlers during the colonial period, according to the governor.