A fresh boundary row is simmering between Nyamira and Kisii counties after a  Kisii ward rep claimed that Ting’a market falls under Kisii.

Peter Otachi, the ward rep for Monyerero in Kitutu Chache North, wrote to the Nyamira government, demanding that it withdraw its revenue officers from the urban that straddles the border of the two counties.

The September 16 letter, titled “Illegal Encroachment on Ting’a Market” was addressed to the Nyamira finance chief officer and threatened to escalate the matter to higher levels if the notice was violated.

The letter claims Ting’a market and Ting’a dispensary lie on the Kisii side of the border.

Otachi wrote that as the area’s ward rep, he must listen to “the outcry of the market’s traders in their quest for justice”. He demanded that “you immediately cease and desist … conduct of any activities purporting that you are in control of the said region”.

“Consequently, that you do withdraw with immediate effect any of your employees including but not limited to your revenue collection officers from Ting’a market,” the letter said.

In response, members of the Nyamira County Assembly has formed a special committee to look into the matter. Assembly Speaker Enock Okero appointed Rigoma MCA Nyambega Gisesa to lead the committee that will comprise the whole House in identifying parcels of land belonging to Nyamira that are occupied or are under threat of being occupied by Kisii.

The committee will also look into other disputed parcels of land, including in the Jogoo area of Kisii town, Kisii Bottlers area, Kisii National Polytechnic and Kisii County Assembly headquarters that are all said to be within the boundaries of Nyamira.

Speaker Okero ordered the committee to present a report to the House within 10 days.

The committee has written to the State Department of Lands, Physical Planning and Housing, requesting information regarding the county’s boundaries with Kisii, Bomet, Kisumu and Homa Bay counties.

The boundary row follows the now-concluded dispute about the location of Keroka town, which lies on the Kisii-Nyamira boundary.