A row is brewing between communities in Marsabit and Wajir counties over reallocation of a huge chunk of land in the areas of Fargadud and Harade, a move that now threatens the administrative integrity, unity and livelihoods of over 20,000 locals.

A gazette notice number 5449 issued late last month reallocated the land from areas that have historically and administratively been part of Marsabit County to Wajir County.

In what has sparked sharp opposition from professionals in Marsabit County, the locals expressed concerns that the reassignment of Marsabit County territories violates historical, legal and administrative norms that have been in place for decades.

The move, they decried was done without consultation with locals and the leaders, in disregard of legal frameworks and have resultantly encouraged unauthorized settlement which has heightened tensions and escalated conflicts over resources.

Addressing journalists in Thika today, Marsabit professionals and students decried that the move will not only cause administrative confusion, social-economic tensions but will further instigate erosion of trust in governance.

Irked by the turn of events, the professionals, leaders, students and well-wishers of Marsabit County called for immediate revocation of the Gazette Notice saying the decision was not only illegal but also a direct affront to the principles of justice and constitutional governance.

They further advocated for restoration of Marsabit County’s historical boundaries as defined in the Districts and Provinces Act of 1992 and affirmed by the Independent Boundaries Review Commission of Kenya.

Additionally, the professionals demanded that the government commits to an inclusive dialogue and accountability to resolve the boundary dispute.

They called on the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government to take swift action and challenged the National Land Commission (NLC) to uphold its mandate in safeguarding territorial boundaries and addressing land-related disputes impartially.

Meanwhile, the irked professionals urged the national assembly and senate committees on administration and justice to independently investigate the irregularity and hold responsible parties to account.