NCIC to hold meeting over disputed Meru-Tharaka Nithi border

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Chairman of the NCIC Dr. Samuel Kobia (in blue coat) briefs the media outside the office of the Tharaka Nithi County Commissioner Ms. Beverly Opwora (to his left) Friday.

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) will bring all stakeholders on board to find a lasting solution to the Meru-Tharaka Nithi boundary.

The NCIC Chairman Dr. Samuel Kobia said there is need to ensure that the stakeholders own the process and the eventual outcome and allow developments to start taking place within the disputed area.

“We will ensure that we are as inclusive as possible to ensure everyone feels that they have been listened to and hence own the process and the eventual outcome,” said the NCIC chairman.

He said they are working very closely with the county government and appreciated the support they are getting from the county commissioners of the two counties and will involve the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Coordination of National Government Dr. Fred Matiangi.

Briefing the media shortly after holding a meeting with the Tharaka Nithi County Commissioner Ms. Beverly Opwora in her office in Chuka town Friday, Dr. Kobia said the commission has already met with the ‘Njuri Ncheke’ in Meru and will meet the ‘Njuri Ncheke’ in Tharaka Nithi because they believe the council of elders is critical in giving key guidance on the issue at hand.

He said the commission is aware that there are people from either side of the county who claim landownership across and hence the need to involve all including the women and youth as well as professionals and businesspeople.

The Chairman further disclosed that the commission will also involve the Ministry of Lands and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission because the boundary has to be marked after the eventual outcome and it would also affect constituency boundaries and polling stations.