By Vitalis Kimutai
NAIROBI, KENYA: President Uhuru Kenyatta has been urged to step in and end the row over the ownership of Migingo Island with the Ugandan government.
Nyatike MP Omondi Anyanga said President Uhuru should ensure that the Island reverts back to Kenya within the shortest time possible.
Anyanga in whose constituency falls on the Island told The Standard in Nairobi that the continued harassment of Kenyan security officers and fishermen by Ugandan forces necessitated an intervention by the Head of State.
“We have an assistant chief and Administration Officers in Migingo Island which is also a polling station in Nyatike constituency and it is important that Kenya secures it from the hands of Ugandan soldiers,” Anyanga said.
Anyanga reminded President that during the pre-election presidential debate at Brookhouse, he reiterated that the Island was in Kenya.
“It is time the President re-affirms his position that he would not cede an inch of the Kenya’s soil to neighbouring country. He should now walk the talk and engage President Yoweri Museveni on the matter,” Anyanga said.
The MP made the sentiments amid tension between Ugandan and Kenyan security forces.
Nyanza Provincial Police Officer (PPO) Joseph Ole Tito recently led a delegation to the Island on a fact finding mission after Kenyan Administration Police officers were assaulted by their Ugandan counterparts.
On Tuesday, MPs from Nyanza claimed that Uganda soldiers guarding Migingo Island were extorting money from Kenyan fishermen and harassing APs deployed to the area.
“Ugandan soldiers guarding the Island have been pursuing the fishermen to the Kenyan territory while armed an in full uniform contrary to existing international treaties,” said Suba MP John Mbadi.
The MPs claimed that the harassment of the Kenyan fishermen in Lake Victoria by the Ugandan security forces had escalated following the recent visit by President Uhuru to Uganda where he met with President Yoweri Museveni and Rwanda President Paul Kagame.
“The government cannot bury its head in the sand when the people’s livelihoods are threatened. This is not a Nyanza affair as it affects the whole country and the President must assure us of protection of
the country’s sovereignty,” Mbadi said.
The Standard Group Plc is a
multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper
print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key
influence in matters of national and international interest.
join