Anglican Church drawn into Kisumu-Vihiga, Maseno border tussle

KISUMU: A border row between Kisumu and Vihiga counties over the location of Maseno has now drawn in the Anglican Church.

Some elders from Kisumu County have blamed the current border dispute on the Anglican Church in the area.

Mzee Osok Awinyo said Maseno has always been in Kisumu County since time immemorial but the dispute was brought about by Anglican Bishop Festo Olang'.

Mr Awinyo said Bishop Olang', during his tenure as the Archbishop created satellite Anglican churches in Maseno North and South dioceses that have led to division of the people from the two communities in the area.

Last week, Vihiga Governor Moses Akaranga stirred the hornet's nest when he claimed that his county was losing millions of shillings in revenue to Kisumu County.

He accused former Vice President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga of grabbing Maseno from Vihiga County in the 1960s for political reasons.

His statement drew sharp reactions from Kisumu leaders with Kisumu West MP Olago Aluoch demanding for his (Akaranga) arrest over incitement.

Olago in whose constituency Maseno lies, said Akaranga has been using reckless and irresponsible language in addressing the issue of Kisumu-Vihiga boarder which he said may cause violence among the two communities there.

But in more reconciliatory tone, Vihiga Senator George Khaniri has asked both Vihiga and Kisumu county leaders to follow the Constitution in solving the Maseno boundary dispute.

Speaking to The Standard on phone Monday, Mr Khaniri warned leaders against inflammatory speech which may lead to animosity between residents of the two counties who have been co-existing for years.

COLLECTING REVENUE

"The Constitution is clear on how to settle boundary disputes. As leaders we should adhere to the right ways of handling issues without using statements that may cause tension," said Khaniri.

He said the Senate passed a motion sponsored by Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jnr which allows for the formation of an independent boundary commission.

"The motion was passed to allow for establishment of an independent boundary commission to address county boundary disputes not only at Maseno but across the country," he said.

Meanwhile Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma accused Akaranga of misleading the public and that he would have approached him before making remarks in public.

"If Akaranga had an issue, it is advisable that he would have approached me so that we form a leadership committee to look into the issue instead of making statements without verification," said Mr Ranguma.

He said his government was collecting revenue from the area based on established borderline hence statements made by his counterpart and other leaders are uncalled for.