Security agencies on Sunday cleared branded umbrellas handed by Kisii Governor Simba Arati to stalls in Keroka as a boundary dispute between Kisii and Nyamira counties turned ugly.
Both Kisii and Nyamira claim ownership of Keroka town despite the High Court having ruled on the matter last month.
Dozens of security officers were on Sunday morning deployed in the town after clashes broke out between goons allied to both counties making the Kisii Sotik highway impassable for hours.
Armed police backed by Nyamira county askaris descended on the town and started demolishing temporary structures put up by traders on the disputed side of the town.
The action was triggered by a recent distribution of branded umbrellas by Simba Arati’s team to traders on the ‘Kisii’ side of the town.
Local politicians from Nyamira had on Sunday morning mobilised youth to destroy the umbrellas. Their plans were thwarted by police officers leading to the chaos.
Last month, The Environment and Lands Court adopted a survey report that indicates that Keroka town is predominantly in Nyamira County.
“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.
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.
