The boundary dispute between Kwale and Taita Taveta counties has intensified after Governor Fatuma Achani and her deputy Chirema Kombo instructed Mackinnon town residents to withhold tax payments.
Since 2013, the two counties have been in conflict over the ownership of Mackinnon town. Taita Taveta alleges that the town was irregularly acquired by Kwale, leading to extended legal battles.
On February 12, the Environment and Land Court in Mombasa issued a conservatory order permitting Taita Taveta to collect taxes and issue permits until a ruling on June 26.
The court mandated that all revenue be deposited into an interest-earning bank account jointly managed with the Kwale government, while prohibiting Kwale from collecting revenue from Mackinnon.
Despite this order, Achani and Kombo maintained that Mackinnon is under Kwale’s jurisdiction and urged residents to pay taxes exclusively to the Kwale government. Achani argued that paying taxes to other counties would hinder residents from receiving services and development from Kwale.
“How will you get a bursary and other development in Kwale if you pay taxes to another county?” she asked.
Governor Fatuma Achani’s recent announcement defies a court order that prohibits Kwale from collecting taxes in the disputed town of Mackinnon until the matter is resolved.
Despite this, Kwale county held Madaraka Day celebrations in Mackinnon town, where Achani reiterated that no part of Kwale would be lost under her administration. She emphasized that Kwale leaders are committed to following the rule of law to protect the county’s territories.
Achani declared that her administration would resolve the boundary dispute between Taita Taveta and Kwale, noting that Kwale has been conducting development projects in Mackinnon since the inception of devolution.
She argued that it is ironic for Taita Taveta to claim ownership of Mackinnon without having any development record in the area, whereas residents have received services and development from Kwale for years and have also voted in Kwale elections.
Governor Achani assured residents that her administration would continue providing services to Mackinnon while pursuing legal means to resolve the dispute. She urged residents to remain calm and let the leaders handle the issue through the justice system, stating, “We ask you to continue living in peace and let us follow the law.”
Deputy Governor Chirema Kombo and other Kwale leaders echoed Achani’s stance. Kombo asserted that Mackinnon town has always been and will always remain part of Kwale. Kwale County Assembly Speaker Seth Mwatela pledged the assembly’s support for Achani in defending Mackinnon and other disputed areas.
Hanifa Mwajirani, Ramisi MCA and Kwale county assembly majority leader, called it an injustice for Mackinnon residents to be forced to pay taxes in two counties, emphasizing their vigilance in defending Kwale’s territory.
