Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi has appealed to members of business communities living in Keroka town to live in harmony despite the border intrigues between Kisii and Nyamira counties.
Speaking on Sunday evening during an impromptu visit to the town that has recently been engulfed in fierce border battle between tax collectors allied to the two counties in a number of occasions, Maangi said it was ‘stupid’ for the traders to destroy the harmony that had built for many years.
He urged them to execute their daily businesses without animosity and challenged them to shun any alleged incitement from a section of leaders from the two counties.
“We are all brothers and sisters. You have lived and worked here before we ushered in county governments and I would like to challenge you to work towards restoring peace and harmony amongst yourselves. It’s not worth to allow some people to incite you just to gain political mileage,” he said.
Maangi also urged county officials from the two counties to respect the decision that was arrived at in 2014 by area leaders by operating in the territories that were identified.
“We had come with a temporary solution from whom and where to collect tax. I want to urge the officials from both Kisii and Nyamira to respect the temporary solution meanwhile and we look for a lasting solution,” he added.
The Deputy Governor also urged the police to work extra hard and arrest residents and county workers who were continually igniting the border animosity.
“Keroka town remains to be our town regardless of whether you come from Nyamira or Kisii. The police should arrest those who are fond of igniting tension whether it’s ordinary Mwananchi or public officials. All we want is peace,” he said.