Kwale County Governor Salim Mvurya has dismissed threats by his Taita Taveta County counterpart Granton Samboja, that he will invade and occupy Mackinnon Road town.
Samboja toured MacKinnon Road town on Friday where he said the town can not be taken away from his county as he watches, saying the town is in the county and his administration will do everything possible to reclaim it.
Through his spokesman Daniel Nyassy, Governor Mvurya expressed disappointment over Samboja's statement, saying it is a violation of Kwale residents’ rights and freedoms.
Mvurya termed the planned ‘invasion’ a direct provocation and incitement of the residents of both counties by the Taita Taveta leadership, saying he had a telephone conversation with Samboja (on August 6th this year) regarding the border dispute and that the two had agreed to ask residents to remain calm as the matter was being looked into.
"We unequivocally demand that the Taita Taveta County leadership withdraw forthwith its claim on the said area and urge the leadership to promptly dialogue to resolve this dispute. We call upon the county agencies to beef up security and enhance vigilance in the area," said Mvurya.
There has been a longstanding border dispute between Kwale and Taita Taveta Counties over the ownership of MacKinnon Road town which seats along the Mombasa-Nairobi highway.
According to Taita Taveta leaders, MacKinnon Road town was transferred to Kwale in the late 1960s and so should be reclaimed.
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