NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 5 – The Council of Governors has announced that the AD-Hoc committee tasked with handling the boundary dispute between Makueni, Kwale and Taita Taveta counties will adopt the Traditional Dispute Resolution mechanism.
This is after the Committee on Thursday held a meeting with the three Governors Mutula Kilonzo (Makueni), Fatuma Achani (Kwale) Andrew Mwadime (Taita Taveta) following an escalation of the long standing border row.
The meeting which was chaired by Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka resolved that all the relevant parties will be involved in the process.
“The Ad-hoc Committee to adopt the Traditional Dispute Resolution mechanism to resolve the dispute. All the relevant parties to be included in the process,” a statement from CoG indicated.
“The resolution of the parties to be escalated to the Summit for determination,” it also read.
Mtito Andei has been at the centre of the boundary row between Taita-Taveta and Makueni County, with both counties claiming it.
During the Jamhuri Day celebrations, Makueni Kilonzo reportedly vowed not to allow even an inch of his county land to be taken over by Taita-Taveta.
He said the boundary between his county and Taita-Taveta is at the Man-Eaters but Taita-Taveta county insists it is at Mtito Andei river.
On the other hand, Kwale and Taita Taveta have both claimed Mackinnon town, leading to double taxation of traders in the two towns.
On October 10, 2022, the Environment and Land Court ruled that Taita Taveta should continue to issue business permits and collect taxes in Mtito Andei and Mackinnon towns.
Justice Lucas Naikumi noted that the boundary dispute was being used by the three counties to subject the residents to double taxation.
The order was issued following an application filed by Makueni and Kwale Counties seeking orders to stop Taita Taveta from administering the two disputed towns.
