Pressure is mounting on Governor John Nyagarama to exert his authority and reclaim the border town of Keroka, a day after town residents demonstrated over alleged illegal occupation by neighboring Kisii County.

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Nyagarama has remained tight lipped over the dispute which has literally brought animosity between Nyamira residents and their Kisii neighbours.

Speaking on Wednesday to the reporter, a number of residents led by Cyrus Okero demanded that Nyagarama come out clear on the matter and save town residents from constant harassment from tax collectors allied to Kisii County government.

“We are shocked that Governor John Nyagarama is busy sleeping in his Nyamira offices when our town is being occupied forcefully by our brothers from Kisii. He has not shown any commitment to reclaim our town from illegal occupation,” he said.

“We are tired with intimidation and threats from these 'aliens' from Kisii County who are troubling our local businesses. We want our Governor to come out and defend our borders without mercy and that’s not a request. He has the jurisdiction to do that,” he added.

They maintained that the border town belongs to Nyamira County and insisted that the county leadership was sleeping on its job.

“We really don’t understand why Kisii County government is using force while Nyagarama prefers diplomacy. Time has come for him to wake up and reclaim our town. All government maps have proved time and again that the town belongs to Nyamira and it’s shocking that our Governor doesn’t want to address the escalating crisis,” Okero said.

Meanwhile, Ichuni MCA Lawrence Aburi has denied incitement claims which saw Keroka residents engage each other in skirmishes that literally brought businesses to a halt.

“I respect the rule of law and I wasn’t even around when tax collectors from either both counties fought. We want peace in the town and it’s high time the leadership of the two counties resolve the border crisis,” he said.

Photo: Residents of Keroka (from Nyamira side) protesting the alleged illegal occupation of town by their counterparts from Kisii. They now want Governor John Nyagarama to address the border crisis before it escalates to violence. AMakori/Hivisasa.com