The ongoing Boundary demarcation between Kenya and the United Republic of Tanzania is almost complete.
A Multi-agency Team from the two East African countries has been working round the clock to finalise the reaffirmation exercise between the common borders and is expected to be concluded by the end of the year.
Speaking during a supervisory tour at Lake Jipe, Lake Challa, and the surrounding areas in Taveta, Deputy Head of the Public Service, Mr. Amos Gathecha, underscored the significant progress the team had so far covered, expressing optimism that the exercise would be completed as projected.
He said the joint undertaking between the two states was done in line with international legal frameworks governing boundary reaffirmation and, upon completion, will culminate with the signing of a bilateral agreement early next year between the two Heads of state.
The Deputy Head of Public Service revealed that 558 out of the 758-kilometers to be covered were already reaffirmed save for the remaining segments, a 42-kilometre stretch within the lake section, which does not require land-based demarcation.
Mr. Gathecha further commended the dedication of over 80 officers drawn from various Kenyan agencies, including the Ministry of Lands, the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF), the Immigration Department, and the Kenya International Boundaries Office (KIBO), among others.
“These officers have spent months in the field, working in challenging terrain, wildlife zones, and remote areas. Their patriotism, technical acumen, and commitment to duty are exemplary,” he stated.
The Deputy Head of Public Service acknowledged the crucial logistical and institutional support provided by the Government, including security, medical, and operational facilitation, which has ensured the smooth conduct of the reaffirmation exercise.
At the same event, the Head of the Kenya International Boundaries Office (KIBO), Juster Nkoroi, highlighted the strategic significance of the exercise.
“International boundaries are not mere lines on a map — they define sovereignty, support effective governance, and enhance bilateral cooperation,” Ms. Nkoroi said.
She added that the reaffirmation process involves meticulous surveying, photogrammetry, legal verification, and physical boundary marking.
“Every inch of the 558 kilometres covered so far has been surveyed, marked, and validated by qualified experts. This precision ensures integrity and clarity in boundary definition,” she explained.
The Kenya–Tanzania boundary reaffirmation is part of a broader government-led initiative through KIBO aimed at strengthening Kenya’s border management systems. It builds on similar successful undertakings with Uganda, South Sudan, and Ethiopia.
The Government remains steadfast in advancing peaceful and collaborative boundary reaffirmation processes that reinforce Kenya’s territorial integrity, enhance regional integration, and ensure effective administration along international borders.
By Jaqueline Adyan’g
