Kenyans flee Migingo island

Kenyans leave Migingo island (top) following the arrival of Ugandan troops. They said they feared being attacked. Photos/ File

What you need to know:

  • Administrator calls for calm as residents fear attacks by the Ugandan troops

Kenyan fishermen continued to flee Migingo in Lake Victoria on Saturday as reports emerged that a helicopter believed to belong to the Ugandan military conducted reconnaissance over the disputed island.

East African Community minister Amason Kingi said the fishermen feared being attacked by the Ugandan troops.

Uganda sent marine and riot police to the island on Thursday, heightening tension between the two countries locked in a dispute over the ownership of the island.

At a press conference at his Cooperative House office in Nairobi, Mr Kingi warned that the friction between the two countries could threaten the East African Community treaty.

He said he and Prime Minister Raila Odinga would visit Uganda in two weeks to discuss the matter.

He was concerned that the dispute could undermine the Common Market Protocol, which is expected to be ready by the end of March.

The protocol is expected to usher in rights of residence, free movement of goods and services, capital, people and labour within the East African Community.

The minister said the presence of armed soldiers in Migingo contravened the East African Community treaty.

Nyatike MP Edick Anyanga  and his Kasipul-Kabondo counterpart Joseph Magwanga asked the government to deploy the navy to the area to protect Kenyan fishermen.

Muhuru district officer Kyalo Kaloki, however, asked residents not to panic.

Kenya formed a four-man inter-ministerial team led by Lands minister James Orengo to address the conflict. The Kenyan and Ugandan teams hired a mapping firm late last year to survey the island. The matter is now before the East African Community.

– Stories By Lucas Barasa, Elisha Otieno and Maurice K’aluoch