Musalia Mudavadi: Maseno row must be resolved faster

Amani Coalition leader Musalia Mudavadi has supported calls to create a commission to inquire into the boundary dispute between Kisumu and Vihiga counties.

Mr Mudavadi, in a statement through his press secretary Kibisu Kabatesi, said it is necessary that the dispute is resolved quickly to avert conflict between local communities.

“This dispute historical and has remained unresolved for decades,” the UDF party leader lamented.

He told leaders to respect the Constitution which guarantees every Kenyan the right to live anywhere.

“The Constitution says boundary disputes should be addressed through a commission as stated in Article 188. Thus, it is important that the request by the Senate is granted so that this issue is addressed once and for all,” said Mr Mudavadi.

“The commission should be constituted urgently to address all boundary issues that have been a source of insecurity even in northern Kenya.”

The Senate wants a commission created to resolve the dispute over Maseno Township which both counties have laid claim on.

Trouble started two weeks ago when Governor Moses Akaranga claimed Maseno is geographically in his Vihiga County.

Mr Akaranga vowed to stop at nothing until he "reclaims" the town that hosts Maseno University, Maseno School, a mission hospital and several other institutions.

He also accused Kisumu County government of illegally collecting revenue from Maseno while under developing the township.

Vihiga Senator George Khaniri has also sought the intervention of the Senate on the matter.

Some leaders in Kisumu, including Kisumu West MP Olago Oluoch, have called for the arrest of Mr Akaranga over his remarks which they have termed as baseless and reckless.

Recently, Kisumu governor Jack Ranguma said talks were going on and called for calm.