'Provincial Act' to be used to settle Meru, Tharaka Nithi border row

From left; Eastern Regional Co-ordinator Paul Rotich, Interior PS Raymond Omollo and Embu Governor Cecily Mabrire at Moi Stadium, Embu, on February 21, 2023. [Murithi Mugo, Standard]

The government will use the Districts and Provinces Act of 1992 to identify the Meru-Tharaka Nithi border, Eastern Regional Commissioner Paul Rotich has revealed.

Rotich, who spoke at Gatithini, called for peace among the border residents who have in the recent past engaged in bloody clashes in the fight over disputed lands.

The dispute which arose decades ago has, among others, delayed the issuance of title deeds as residents on both sides claim ownership of various parcels.

The commissioner who was accompanied by Meru County Commissioner Fred Ndunga, Tharaka Nithi's Wesley Koech and senior security chiefs from both counties said they had held peace meetings at the grassroots in a bid to calm tension after a spate of skirmishes.

Rotich said the Act clearly defined the area covered by the defunct Tharaka Nithi, Meru and Nyambene districts.

"It (Act) is there. We cannot get away from it, because it is a Kenyan law that must be followed. We want to use that Act," he said.

The commissioner said the process will be transparent for all residents.

Ndunga, on his part, said they would not condone criminal activities along the border by any persons, even as the government worked to resolve the dispute.