Tharaka leaders hail court ruling on creation of New Administrative Units, Boundary Overlap with Meru
Tharaka Constituency MP Gitonga Murugara and aspiring MP Paul Mugambi (both standing)
The High Court sitting in Meru has delivered uts judgment affirming that the new administrative units created in Tharaka were lawfully and properly established, dismissing claims of a boundary dispute between Tharaka Nithi and Meru counties.
In a detailed ruling, Justice Hesbon Mbogo Nyaga declared that the boundaries between the two counties are clearly defined under the Districts and Provinces Act of 1992, leaving no room for overlap.
“The boundaries between Tharaka Nithi and Meru are clear. This petition is devoid of merit and is hereby dismissed, with each party bearing its own costs,” Nyaga ruled.
The court further ruled that any land disputes or historical land injustices fall within the jurisdiction of the National Land Commission and the Environment and Land Court, not through constitutional petitions seeking to block administrative processes or service delivery.
Justice Nyaga also cautioned political leaders against using boundary issues to incite or divide communities.
Tharaka MP Gitonga Murugara and aspiring MP Paul Mugambi praised the ruling, saying it brought closure to a long-standing and often politicized issue.
“The court has finally settled the old-age debate. There are no boundary issues between Meru and Tharaka Nithi. Let this end all imagined disputes between these sister counties. We are one people, and peace must prevail,” Murugara said.
Mugambi, who joined the case as an interested party alongside MP Gitonga Murugara and all five Tharaka MCAs, welcomed the ruling as a major victory for the people of Tharaka.
“Reason has prevailed. This decision confirms that our people’s constitutional right to access government services closer to their homes has been upheld. Government services will now come closer to the people, administrative presence will reach previously underserved areas, and the era of misinformation and political distraction is over,” Mugambi noted.
Mugambi added that the court had confirmed public participation in the process was sufficient and that the gazette notice establishing the new administrative units was valid.
“The new units are valid, legitimate, and now confirmed by the court.”Today we move forward united, focused, and hopeful,” Mugambi said. Both Meru and Tharaka Nithi are one people. Two or three individuals making ridiculous claims won’t thwart our region’s unity,” he said.
Murugara thanked President William Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki for their leadership in promoting equitable development across the country.
“Services must be taken closest to the people. I thank Justice Nyaga for justice not only done but seen to be done,” the MP said.
The leaders urged residents to embrace unity and focus on growth rather than disputes.
The ruling effectively ends years of speculation and political wrangling over alleged boundary overlaps between Meru and Tharaka Nithi, clearing the way for the operationalization of the new administrative units and the delivery of government services to remote areas.
