The Environment and Lands Court has adopted a survey report which indicates that Keroka town is predominantly in Nyamira County ending a long-standing dispute between Nyamira and Kisii Counties over the border town.
“The issue of the boundary dispute has been resolved once and for all as observed in the survey report deposited in this court. I urge all the parties to respect it,” Justice Mugo Kamau said in his judgment delivered on Thursday morning in Nyamira.
In the case filed by Rigoma Ward MCA Nyambega Gisesa, the Judge noted that Nyamira County was not free to levy taxes and rates from an area that has been in dispute.
“I order all parties to occupy and operate within their boundaries,” the judge said.
However, the judge directed Nyamira County Governor Amos Nyaribo and his Kisii Counterpart to sit down and deliberate on service delivery in the town.
“Kisiis are one people and this ruling should not divide them,” he noted.
After the judgement, the petitioner Mr Gisesa said that judgement had finally been served on the people of Nyamira County.
“I thank the court for upholding the rule of law and for ensuring that the robbery of lands belonging to Nyamira County are returned,” he said.
Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo who was in court also praised the judgement.
“We will move immediately to offer services and collect revenue in the area that falls within our boundary, ” the County chief noted.
However, the Kisii County legal team said they will file an appeal as they did not agree with the judgement.
The petitioner’s lawyer Mr Justus Maeche said that his team was ready to handle the matter if it moved to the Court of Appeal
