A meeting held in Kisumu on Monday between Nyamira and Kisii Counties leadership over the escalating ownership crisis of Keroka market did not yield substantive solutions, a source privy to the information has revealed.
Governors John Nyagarama of Nyamira and James Ongwae of Kisii together with a host of delegations held a closed door meeting on Monday to deliberate on the way forward following skirmishes that marred the border town over its ownership.
But a source who spoke to the reporter on condition of anonymity since he is not authorised to speak on behalf of the counties termed the meeting ‘disorderly and chaotic’.
“The meeting was a shame because neither of the sides was ready for a compromise. It was chaotic and disorderly, one which could not be tolerated in a democratic society,” the source said.
“Both sides accused each other of forceful occupation with Kisii County also claiming intimidation from Nyamira side against the MoU which had been signed before," said the source.
"The Nyamira side insisted that they were legal owners of the town and threatened to invite National Lands Commission,” the source added.
The source further revealed that the delegation from the town sides had to walk off the meeting prematurely with each vowing to protect ‘territorial’ integrity.
“Sadly each side walked out in protest vowing to protect their territorial integrity. The meeting was simply a failure and it may take quite longer before they reach a compromise,” he said.
The two Governors had earlier on differed sharply over the ownership of the town during a live Radio interview at Egesa FM.