Boundary intrigues between Kisii and Nyamira counties were behind the burning of offices belonging to Nyamira county government on the eve of Christmas day, a section of traders have claimed.
The mysterious fire led to destruction of many revenue collection files belonging to Nyamira county, hence giving county leadership a challenge to identify businesses that had paid for permits in Masaba sub-county.
Speaking on Sunday in a random interview, the traders from both divides blamed each other for the fire tragedy with trading space being central to their squabbles.
“I am pretty sure it’s our brothers from Kisii causing all these. As residents of Nyamira, we should be given first priority in allocating of trading shades and that is what the county government did. It’s really annoying that our brothers from the other side also claim the space that is on our side,” said Jackson Nyamamba of behalf of traders allied to Nyamira government.
They claimed that those from Kisii were unhappy with the development done on the Nyamira side in the border town of Keroka and could have schemed burning of the offices.
“I know investigations to the matter are being done but those from Kisii side should be investigated. They have always accused the county government of Nyamira of neglecting them yet they operate from the section that belongs to Kisii county,” he added.
The Kisii county group denied the allegations of being behind the fire but accused officers from Nyamira county of persistent harassment.
“As traders, we condemn the fire incident and perpetrators should be arrested. Nyamira county should desist from persistent intimidation on us because we share the market. Recently, they brought down trading shades belonging to use,” said Alfred Mogambi on their behalf.
Keroka town was at the center of the dispute between Kisii and Nyamira counties but elders from either side had agreed on the boundary some years ago, but none of the counties have released a statement concerning the fire with investigative agencies given an opportunity to investigate.