Tana River Governor Dhadho Godhana has decried encroachment on county territory by the national government and political elites from neighbouring regions.
Speaking in Hola town on Monday, Godhana accused past and present governments of using projects to occupy Tana River’s territory, particularly along the contested borders with Garissa.
“It is unfortunate that some leaders and government agencies are using state projects as a pretext to grab land that rightfully belongs to the people of Tana River. This has been happening in plain sight, and we will no longer remain silent,” he said.
He cited several projects as evidence of what he described as a calculated encroachment campaign, including the construction of the former Northeastern provincial commissioner’s offices in Garissa, the establishment of an IEBC office in Bura East and, more recently, the setting up of a National Intelligence Service academy in Masalani.
Governor Godhana particularly questioned the legality and transparency of the NIS academy, saying it was done without any consultation with the Tana River government or its residents, yet part of the land in question is in Kinakomba ward in Tana River.
“You cannot just walk into a county and declare land as protected without involving the local leadership and the people who live there. It is an affront to devolution and to the principle of public participation,” he said.
He also warned local political leaders against supporting such projects blindly, urging them to stand firm in defending the county's territorial rights and the interests of its people.
Governor Godhana reminded the public that the official boundary between Tana River and Garissa counties is clearly set three miles from the banks of River Tana.
The governor’s remarks came amid long-standing border tensions between communities in Tana River and Garissa, often flaring up over land disputes and resource control.
Despite the challenges, Godhana highlighted the county's progress under his administration, noting substantial investments and improvements in key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, infrastructure, water access, and the blue economy.
“We have laid the foundation for a better Tana River. My vision is to transform this county from a rural economy into a thriving urban hub, one that provides opportunities for all our people,” he said.
The governor affirmed his commitment to protect the interests of Tana River residents, while calling on the national government to respect devolved institutions and uphold the rule of law in land management and inter-county relations.
