A motion filed by Rigoma MCA seeking intervention by the county government of Nyamira on the border dispute in Keroka market has seen the County Assembly divided along party lines.
Ben Sironga (TNA) had filed the motion for discussion Wednesday morning which seeks total control over Keroka, which is being disputed by Kisii and Nyamira counties.
The disputes have in the past led to skirmishes involving traders and revenue collection officials.
Wednesday, Sironga defended his motion ahead of the debate, saying it would help the county assert its authority in defending its territorial jurisdictions and accused Kisii County government of being ‘arrogant and dictatorial’.
“My motion is well intended and as area MCA, I have to seek the approval of my elected officials to declare the region our zone. Official survey records have for times proved that but our brothers from Kisii County are arrogant and dictatorial. They can no longer adhere to local agreements so it’s important as elected leaders to defend our territory,” he said.
The unapologetic Sironga also wants approval of the house to have the court use the existing boundaries to give Nyamira total control over the town as the matter is forwarded to the Senate for approval.
“I have supportive documents that the region belongs to Nyamira. I plead with members to support the motion so that our resolution is taken to court to back up our point that Keroka belongs to us as the Senate irons out the matter,” he said.
However, majority leader Laban Masira (ODM) vowed to led his troops to oppose the motion terming it ‘detrimental’ for cohesive relationship for the two counties.
“I have seen the content of the motion and I want to say that as ODM, we will oppose it because it’s detrimental to cohesiveness between the two counties. We would rather use diplomatic means again and again because we are brothers. There is no need to go to court or take the small matter to the Senate,” he said.