Fresh tension has gripped Lake Victoria
islands following new arrests of more than 12 Kenyan fishermen by
Ugandan security officials.
In what
is seen as retaliation after Kenyan security officials secured the
release of their three police officers arrested by Ugandan soldiers last
week, fishermen on the Kenyan side of the lake are in fear of a fresh
wave of arrests.
Local politicians
have reignited the debate on ownership of Migingo Island in Lake
Victoria, saying they have been raising these issues yet the government
has done nothing about it.
Barely a
week after Ugandan authorities abducted three Kenyan police officers and
five fishermen from Nambo Beach in Siaya County, they struck again this
Saturday, seizing two boats.
UGANDAN SOLDIERS
Witnesses
say the officers’ guns and phones were taken away before the officers
were transferred to Namaingo by boat. Siaya County Administration Police
Commandant Patrick Lumumba said the incident involved up to eight
soldiers on patrol who arrived in a Kenyan boat.
On Saturday, according to an incident reported
at Usenge Police Station by Nambo Beach Management Unit chairman
Gabriel Onyango at 4pm, two Kenyan boats - one with an engine and the
other without - were confiscated by Ugandan soldiers.
According
to Mr Crispin Nyaga, Usenge police boss, the soldiers were three, one
in uniform and armed. They seized the boats, arrested six fishermen, and
took away hundreds of kilogrammes of fish.
The
boat without an engine belongs to a Mr Omollo. On board were fishermen
Daniel Oyugi, John Liepa and Daniel Odhiambo. The other boat is owned by
Mr Atepe Okinya, and was being used by fishermen Evans Ochieng, Sadam
Onyango and Kevin Otieno.
UNNECESSARY ARRESTS
“The authorities took away about 400kgs of fish but released the fishermen,” said Mr Nyaga.
This
time round, the Quick Response Team of the Administration Police of
Kenya gave hot pursuit and rescued both fishermen and the boats, he
said.
He added that the area needs frequent patrol by Kenyan officers to prevent unnecessary arrests by Ugandan soldiers.
“We need more police patrols and speed boats to assist in all this,” said Mr Nyaga.
A
day earlier, six fishermen from Ringiti Island were arrested and
released on Saturday after paying some money. The fishermen were
arrested on Friday morning near the island while fishing.SH
SH18,000 NEEDED
Ms
Penina Aluoch, owner of one of the three boats seized, said Ugandan
security personnel demanded Sh18,000 to release the fishermen and the
fishing gear.
“I have been told by the arrested fishermen that Sh18,000 is needed to have my two boats and the fishermen released,” she said.
Suba North OCPD Charles Mwangi said they were pursuing the matter and would have the fishermen released.
“We
had received information on the arrest of six Kenyans from Ringiti
Island. We have had them released after officials of Kenyan fishermen
negotiated with Ugandan security officials,” said Mr Mwangi.
Other islands affected are Remba, Kiwa and Mfang’ano.
HARASSMENT COMMON
Lake Victoria Beach Management Units chairman Tom Guda asked the State to take the conflict seriously.
“Insecurity
facing Kenyan fishermen in Lake Victoria as a result of harassment by
Ugandan officers is not new. The State should end it completely,” said
Mr Guda.
Suba North MP Millie
Odhiambo, Nyatike MP Tom Odege and Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda yesterday
said they had raised the issue of harassment of Kenyan fishermen with
State officials without success.
Mr Odege said resolution of the dispute between Kenya and Uganda should form part of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s legacy.
RESOLVED PERMANENTLY
He said the row was more than 15 years old and it was high time it was resolved permanently.
Early
last year, the Ugandan government brought in new officers from its
People’s Defence Force to replace the ones who had been on the island
for more than four years.
Although Kenyan security officers are also deployed on the island, they are outnumbered by those from Uganda.
Reports by Rushdie Oudia, Barack Oduor and Elisha Otieno
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