Leaders clash over ownership of trading centres
What you need to know:
- The trading centres at the centre of the dispute are Tinga, Kegogi, Bonyunyu and Bumburia markets.
- According to Mr Ongwae, the two counties should work together in collaborative projects such as construction of roads for faster development of the two regions.
- Mr Ongwae said his Finance team had allocated funds for development of the trading centres but is unable to move forward until the issue is resolved.
A rift has emerged between Nyamira and Kisii county leaders over who should develop towns and markets shared by the two counties.
The trading centres at the centre of the dispute are Tinga, Kegogi, Bonyunyu and Bumburia markets.
On Monday, governors John Nyagarama (Nyamira) and James Ongwae (Kisii) held meetings to try and resolve the standoff.
The meeting at Mr Nyagarama’s boardroom was attended by deputy governors Amos Nyaribo (Nyamira), Joash Maangi (Kisii) and Cabinet members from the two counties .
Mr Ongwae said his Finance team had allocated funds for development of the trading centres but is unable to move forward until the issue is resolved.
“But my fear is that some of the projects we intend to carry in the trading centres, some of which have attracted funding from European Union will be in limbo if this meeting does not end fruitfully,” he said.
He said there was need to set ground rules on how each of the county government will develop the shared trading centres.
According to Mr Ongwae, the two counties should work together in collaborative projects such as construction of roads for faster development of the two regions.
Mr Nyagarama reiterated his sentiments saying there is need to work out on how the border towns will be managed by the two counties.
“We will solve and impasse between the two counties amicably as we are brothers and sisters,” he said.
Keroka Town officials are also facing a crisis after Kisii county authorities blocked them from accessing a dumpsite they claim is in their territory.
The Kericho county leadership is also demanding that some tea factories such as Kipkebe in Nyamira County are expected to remit cess to their government.
Kiang’eni Ward representative Alfayo Ngeresa on Monday dismissed their plea and urged the central government to solve the boundary dispute that he said has been existing between Nyanza and Rift Valley for some time now.
“I will not accept any attempt by Kericho County to claim part of my ward since the boundary is clear,” he said.
