Fred Matiang'i warns inciters in Kisumu-Nandi border row
Interior CS Fred Matiang’i (centre) with Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o (left) and Nandi Governor Stephen Sang when they met in Nakuru on June 19, 2018. The two governors promised to ensure that peace prevails along their disputed border. PHOTO | AYUB MUIYURO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Dr Matiang’i asked Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o and his Nandi counterpart, Stephen Sang, to ensure that peace prevails along the border
- During the meeting, elders from the two communities resolved to maintain peace among the communities along the common border.
- The ongoing talks between Mr Sang and Prof Nyong’o have helped reduce tension over the disputed boundary.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has warned that stern action will be taken against politicians inciting communities in the Nandi-Kisumu border row.
Dr Matiang’i asked Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o and his Nandi counterpart, Stephen Sang, to ensure that peace prevails along the border as the relevant bodies look into a lasting solution to the issue.
The CS, who met the two governors and leaders from the two counties in Nakuru, told the Luo and the Nandi to co-exist peacefully, adding that legal avenues should be used to address the border row.
PEACE PREVAILS
“Counties should focus more on development programmes to uplift economic livelihoods. As the central government, we will not allow chaos to occur due to conflicts between the two counties,” said Dr Matiang’i.
The two governors promised to ensure that peace prevails along the disputed boundary.
Mr Sang said that they will let the National Land Commission (NLC) and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to solve the dispute, adding that politics will not be allowed to ruin the process and cause enmity. “The Nandi County Government resolved to invite the NLC to investigate the historical land injustices, through which the community lost thousands of hectares of its fertile land to multinational tea and sisal companies,” said Governor Sang.
ORIGINAL BOUNDARY
“Nandi County will seek the original boundary between Nandi and Kisumu through the relevant government bodies. We will respect the outcome of the investigation on land injustices,” he added.
During the meeting, elders from the two communities resolved to maintain peace among the communities along the common border.
After the meeting, the Nandi and Luo elders signed a peace agreement. It was also signed by governors Sang and Nyong’o.
“We have agreed in this peace agreement to ensure peaceful co-existence between our communities at the common boundary,” said Governor Nyong’o.
REDUCE TENSION
A spot check by the Nation on Wednesday revealed that normal activities have resumed in key towns bordering the two counties.
The ongoing talks between Mr Sang and Prof Nyong’o have helped reduce tension over the disputed boundary.
Mr Sang said that since Nandi and Kisumu are members of the 14 county Lake Region Summit, there is no bad blood between the leaders and the dispute should be solved amicably. “Our people should co-exist peacefully. Normal activities need not be disrupted”.
