ODM wants troops to secure Migingo Island

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders want the Government to send Kenyan troops to the disputed Migingo Island to protect the residents.

MPs John Mbadi (Suba), Omondi Anyanga (Nyatike) and Opondo Kaluma (Homa Bay Town) questioned why the Government has failed to act despite numerous reports on harassment by Ugandan soldiers.

Mr Mbadi said a mission commissioned by the Government to demarcate and survey the island was not concluded.

"I was part of the delegation that went to Uganda. The commissioning of survey and demarcation was a diversionary tactic to ease pressure from the public. It is high time to explore other options if Kenya cannot repossess the island," said Mbadi.

Mr Anyanga took issue with the manner in which two Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) clerks in his constituency were arrested by Ugandan authorities for trespass.

The MPs now want Interior CS Joseph Nkaissery and Defence counterpart Raychelle Omamo to ensure the troops and police officers in the island protect Kenyans from intimidation and arrests by Ugandan police.

Anyanga also wants the Jubilee administration to make public a report of the boundaries survey and demarcation launched by the Grand Coalition Government between Kenyan and Uganda over the location of Migingo Island.

Kenya and Uganda have recently laid claim to Migingo.

The Grand Coalition Government headed by former President Mwai Kibaki allocated Sh141 million for the process of 'surveying' to determine the actual ownership of the island.

"Funds were allocated for surveying of the boundary between the two countries but the report has never been made public. We want to know whether Migingo is in Kenyan or Uganda. If it's in Kenya, Ugandans should leave immediately," said Anyanga.

Migingo's wealth lies in its proximity to some of the richest remaining deep-water fishing areas in the lake.

In 2009, a joint survey team had inspected international boundaries in the region. The demarcation exercise was to cost Sh240 million.

During the Kenya-Uganda ministerial meeting held in Nairobi in 2011, it was resolved that the survey team would produce a report and come up with practical modalities to conclude the survey and demarcation of the boundary.

But to date, the outcome of the survey and demarcation has never been made public.

On Saturday, CORD leader Raila Odinga threatened to marshal the Opposition to reclaim the island if the Government does not take action.