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Councillors injured in fight over fete venue

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Published on Wednesday, 22 October 2008 00:31

Two councillors were seriously injured in Borabu District on Monday in a fight over the venue for the Kenyatta Day celebrations. Trouble started when a group of more than 13 councillors opposed to Kiang’eni location being moved from Nyamira to Borabu District led a group in demolishing a dais that was to be used by the area district officer in addressing wananchi.

But angry residents attacked the councillors, injuring two. A contingent of police officers from Borabu District was dispatched to reconstruct the dais and provide security throughout the night. Kiang’eni location, which was first moved from Borabu to Nyamira, has elicited disagreement since Borabu was declared a district by President Kibaki last year.

Nyamira residents say transferring the location, which has multi-national tea estates, would weaken them. Their Borabu counterparts expressed fear that moving the location would jeopardise their quest for a new constituency.Mr Wilfred Ombui, MP for North Mugirango-Borabu constituency, has proposed that the launch of a new division in Nyamira or Borabu districts be postponed until the dispute is resolved.

The MP urged residents from the two districts to be calm to facilitate quick resolution of the issue. “This is a matter of serious concern, which needs sober thought to avoid bad blood between the two sides,” Mr Ombui said.