NCIC rules out changes to county boundaries

The boundaries of 27 counties that are seeking to expand their territories would not be adjusted, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission has said.

Commissioner Gitile Naituli said counties were created based on beacons of districts and provinces as outlined in an Act of Parliament of 1992.

Speaking at the Whitesands Resort in Mombasa County, he said the scramble is aimed at increasing areas of revenue collection.

“There is a misconception in the counties that boundaries can be changed. The boundaries are based on the Districts and Provinces Act of 1992. The disputes have been exaggerated,” said Prof Naituli.

The commissioner said rows over ownership of towns and areas with economic potential are behind the inter-county wars.

He said the disputes have been fuelled by the settlement of people from the same clan or ethnic group on borders for economic reasons.

Leaders are using the cross-border spill-over to claim more territory.

Commissioner Roba Sharamo said the agency is speaking to stakeholders to hold discussions that would end the rows before December.

The National Lands Commission, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, Ministry of Lands and respective county leaders will be involved in the talks.

Boundary conflicts have claimed tens of lives in several counties, including Turkana, Baringo and West Pokot.

Politicians have been accused of inciting pastoral communities to violence under the guise of fighting over grazing fields and watering points.

The three counties have moved to the High Court over border disputes.

Kisii and Nyamira counties have been battling for Keroka, a border town, with each side demanding to collect revenue.

The two counties have taken their case to the Transitional Authority.

In the Coast, Taita-Taveta and Kwale counties have disputed the Miasenyi boundary.

According to colonial and post-independence maps, the boundary between the two devolved units is at Miasenyi.

Taita-Taveta residents argue that the boundary should pass at the middle of Mackinnon Road trading centre, at Mbele Primary School, near the Mackinnon Road Kenya Wildlife Camp.

Tsavo River, which is a few kilometres from Mtito Andei Town, has been at the centre of a row between Makueni and Taita-Taveta.

Leaders in Taita-Taveta argue that the border is in Mtito, therefore, part of the town is their territory.

Senate Land and Natural Resources Committee chaired by Lenny Kivuti is addressing boundary disputes that have sucked in counties such as Meru, Isiolo, Kericho, Machakos, Makueni and Kajiado.