Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki has warned politicians from Meru and Tharaka Nithi Counties against inciting residents over land issues, particularly near the two counties’ borders.
For years, there has been a conflict over land ownership and a boundary dispute along the border of the two counties, with residents engaging in violent fights.
Kindiki said during a thanksgiving ceremony at MCK church in Marimanti market, Tharaka Nithi County, that the boundary was not a big issue, but politicians were exaggerating it for political reasons.
The conflict has been more pronounced during the electioneering periods as politicians try to project themselves as ‘land-rights defenders’.
Thousands of people have been killed and injured in these conflicts.
“Don’t incite ordinary people who are in trouble to hate their neighbours, take the law into their own hands and commit crimes. Let’s look for votes in other ways. Let’s put politics aside from security issues, leave it to me and the cs for security in Kenya, I will find a way to solve security between Meru and Tharaka Nithi,” said Kindiki.
On his part, Imenti South Mp Shandrack Mwiti whose constituency is on the border, the solution also needs interventions by involving the Njuri Ncheke Council of elders from Meru and Tharaka Nithi and also implementing the Ogongo commission.
He welcomed the Kindiki’s move, adding there is also a need for title deeds to be issued as per where people belong.
Mwiti Said the communities must live like one family and hopes this problem that has existed for years is going to come to an end.
