Keroka falls under Nyamira, not Kisii county, experts say

The contested Keroka township falls within Nyamira county, a court appointed team of experts has determined.

The report on the boundary dispute between Nyamira and Kisii counties at Keroka township was tabled in the Nyamira Environment and Lands Court yesterday.

The report was tabled before Justice Mugo Kamau by a team of experts led by Joseph Munyendo, an Assistant Director Survey and Caro Manyange, a manager at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

The team had moved to the ground following a court order issued by Justice Mugo to identify the exact borderline of the two counties in Keroka township.

Justice Kamau had directed Attorney General Justin Muturi to appoint a surveyor from the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning who does not hail from the two counties to supervise the exercise.

The boundaries case was lodged by Rigoma Ward MCA Nyambega Gisesa petitioned the court to offer guidance on the exact boundaries of the two counties in Keroka and the general demarcation of the Kisii and Nyamira boundary.

The petitioner had prayed to the court to “cause the National Land Commission to investigate, survey and erect beacons to clearly demarcate the boundaries in pursuant to Article 67 of the constitution and section 15 of the National land commission of ACT No 5 of 2012 and resolve the boundaries dispute pitting Nyamira and Kisii counties over Keroka market centre.”

In the report, the team said it relied on the Districts and Provinces ACT 105A of 1992 revised 2012 maps of Nyamira and Kisii constituencies and county wards maps published and printed by IEBC 2012 to come up with its verdict.

From the survey, the experts determined that most of the built-up areas at Keroka fall within Nyamira county.

The report also indicated that the ascertainment of the boundary was based on the existing records kept by the office of the director of survey.

They also indicated that it was prudent to have the boundary line at Keroka market defined with permanent beacons for the knowledge of the general public and the administrators and service providers to know their areas of jurisdiction.

Receiving the report, Justice Mugo asked all the parties involved to go through the report and make any clarifications they wanted within fourteen days before the next hearing.
He set aside July 26, 2023 when he could make further direction about the matter.