Leaders openly differ over town in front of President Uhuru Kenyatta

By Karanja Njoroge

Nyandarua, Kenya: Controversy over the location of Nyahururu town took centre stage during the launch of a tree-planting project by President Uhuru Kenyatta in Ndaragwa, Nyandarua County, on Saturday.

Differences between leaders from Nyandarua and Laikipia counties on the issue played out before the President during the launch of the Green Schools Programme at Michinda Primary School.

Nyandarua leaders had urged the President to intervene over the row, saying the decision to have it in the neighbouring Laikipia County was wrong.

“Most of the investments in the town are by people of Nyandarua, including major government offices, which were established by the previous government to serve the people of this county,” Nyandarua Senator Muriuki Karue said.

However, the sentiments angered their counterparts from Laikipia, who insisted the town is in their county.

Nyahururu town is geographically in Laikipia but has for years been used to administer residents of Nyahururu. At the centre of the row is revenue worth millions of shillings, which is collected from traders and other investments.

However, when he rose to speak, the President refused to be drawn into the controversy and instead castigated the leaders for turning the tree planting ceremony into a forum to wrangle over the town.

President Kenyatta said the town belongs to all Kenyans and the two counties should not fight over its location.