Kwale and Taita Taveta governments have formed a technical committee to resolve the longstanding boundary dispute between the two counties.
The counties have been embroiled in Mackinnon Road Town border feuds that have resulted in clashes along the Mombasa-Nairobi highway.
However, briefing the media on Friday, governors Salim Mvurya (Kwale) and Granton Samboja (Taita Taveta) promised to end the impasse. The team comprises executives and chief officers in charge of land and natural resources, among other sector players.
From Kwale, CEC Saumu Beja Mahaja will lead his team to the committee and her Taita counterpart Mwandawiro Mghanga will lead his. They have 30 days to come up with a permanent solution that will promote peaceful coexistence.
“We have selected a special board and directed it to commence work as early as next week,” Mvurya said.
The governors agreed not to interfere in the committee’s work. They will only offer assistance where necessary. The team will be briefing them on a daily basis as their deliberations progress.
Samboja and Mvurya called for peace as they work to find an amicable solution. They said the two counties must not allow anything to lead to a breach of the peace.
Samboja said land disputes can be resolved through diplomatic channels, hence chaos is uncalled-for. He said they will put their differences aside and let the committee guide the process.
“Coming to Kwale to meet my friend Mvurya means that we really want to end this problem once and for all. We have faith in the people we have chosen and in the long run, things will be good,” he said.
Samboja said he has the utmost respect for Governor Mvurya, who, he added, is committed to ending protracted clashes with much consciousness.
