Tharaka Nithi Governor to seek Parliament intervention in Meru National Park row

Tourists in an open van at the Meru National Park. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • He accused Meru Governor Peter Munya of downplaying the boundary issue.
  • He said the Meru County administration was not ready for talks to solve the boundary dispute.

Tharaka-Nithi leaders will file a petition in the National Assembly in a week to seek determination on which county the Meru National Park lies.

Governor Samuel Ragwa said the county assembly has finalised the petition to be handed to the clerk of the National Assembly.

Speaking to the Nation, Mr Ragwa said his government is losing millions of shillings since Meru County Government is taking all revenue collected from the park.

He accused Meru Governor Peter Munya of downplaying the boundary issue which led to clashes between the Tigania and Tharaka communities in 1997.

He claimed according to the 1963 map, the park is geographically in Tharaka-Nithi, which was then a district in the larger Meru region.

He said it is the prerogative of the local government to ensure residents benefit from its resources.

Tharaka-Nithi residents, he said, are not benefiting from the park despite the recent opening of the Ura Gate which lies in his county.

He said the Meru County administration was not ready for talks to solve the boundary dispute.

“There is urgent need for a boundary review to avert any trouble. The matter should be resolved amicably before the situation gets out of hand,” he said.

Deputy Governor Eliud Murithi assured the residents that the petition would compel the National Land Commission to visit the area and resolve the boundary issue.