Leaders from Kajiado and Makueni Counties have embroiled in the war of words over border disputes between the two counties since devolution took effect in 2013.
The dispute was triggered by Makueni Senator, Mutula Kilonzo Junior, who claimed that 800 meters piece of land from the Standard Gauge Railway line at Emali town is in Makueni County.
The senator’s declaration sparked protests among Kajiado leaders who insisted that the boundary between the two counties lies at the colonial railway line and not at Emali town as implied by the Makueni Senator.
Led by the then Kajiado Governor David Nkedianye, the leaders appealed for calm and disclosed that a meeting slated for June 11, 2016, in which leaders from both counties were expected to attend and seek to resolve the border issue.
Other leaders in Kajiado who have echoed the governor’s sentiments to have the border dispute expeditiously resolved were Senator Peter Mositet, the then County Commissioner Kello Harsama, and Imaroro MCA Timothy Sayoro.
Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana in a Facebook post also urged the residents of both counties to refrain from engaging in any confrontations saying that the matter will be resolved by leaders from both the Kamba and Maasai communities.
The leaders’ meeting which, the former Kajiado Governor confirmed his attendance, however, faced imminent opposition from a section of leaders from Makueni.
Senator Kilonzo Junior declared that he would only attend the meeting if officials from National Land Commission (NLC) and Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) attended.
Emali MCA Cosmas Kaleli echoed the Senator’s sentiments stating he would only attend the crisis meeting's invitation on the condition that officers from the two institutions avail themselves.
The simmering border dispute caught the attention of Makueni residents on social media stirring a debate.
Some of the residents had underscored the need to have the dispute resolved urgently saying it could be a recipe for chaos.
Others noted that the border disputes between Makueni and Kajiado Counties needed to be addressed effectively.
While others said they were ready to protect the boundaries at whatever cost, others believed that an amicable solution would be arrived at.
The boundary between the two counties was formed by the Districts and Provinces Act (1992) which states that Emali town is the boundary. The Act has since been adopted as an electoral boundary by IEBC.
Members of the Maasai community, however, claim they were not consulted when the Act was drawn and insist the railway line should remain the boundary.
Makueni has in the recent past been embroiled in border disputes among three counties which have not been fully resolved.
Taita Taveta has claimed Tsavo river which according to 1992 act belongs to Makueni County while Machakos and Kajiado have claimed that Konza Technocity and part of Emali town respectively.
Yes, the leaders met but nothing was resolved.
Recently, the now Kajiado Governor Ole Lenku has threatened to cut water from the county saying that the neighborhood is enjoying the water at the expense of Kajiado residents.
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