Several businesses were torched in Keroka Town on Wednesday, April 10, night after traders were cited to pay levies to Nyamira County for the better part of the day.
According to reports from the residents, the goons landed in the town after the traders had closed down for the day.
The traders are lamenting the huge losses incurred after their commodities perished in the night fire.
However, the cost of the goods damaged is yet to be determined.
Further, they are accusing the county governments of Nyamira and Kisii of failing to come to a consensus on the border rows that have rocked the town.
Keroka, the second largest town after Kisii, has been rocked by border wrangles with both counties claiming ownership.
The two counties have been embroiled in these wrangles with the matter stretching to the corridors of justice.
However, the residents have claimed that the payment of the levies was in line with a ruling made by the Environment and Land Court, which is disputed by Kisii County.
Moreover, the residents have decried the unconstitutionality of the double taxation that they have been subjected to as a result of the counties’ wrangles.
On the contrary, an appellate court in Kisumu however reinstated the stay orders issued previously denoting that the double taxation was unconstitutional.
Previously, the town was also engaged in running battles with the police after business stalls were invaded and property destroyed on March 3.
The protests were stated to be a result of the donation of umbrellas by the Kisii Governor, Simba Arati to the traders.
