Negotiate boundary on
Lake Victoria with Uganda
The seizure of our (Kenya) islands of Khama, Wayasi, Siamulala and Lolwe by dictator Idi Amin's soldiers happened not long ago.
I raised this issue at a Cabinet meeting under the chairmanship of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, and he instructed two ministers (of Foreign Affairs and Internal Security) to take up the matter with the Ugandan authorities. Whatever happened after this directive is not clear.
We have since been pressuring our governments (both Moi's and Kibaki's) to raise the matter with our neighbour so that a dialogue can be opened, but to no avail.
Before Uganda got its independence, it was agreed that the Uganda would survey the boundary on the lake, while Kenya's directorate of survey would do the same on the land boundary. The two were supposed to submit the reports to the directorate of survey in London.
Kenya submitted its report, but Uganda did not bother. Ugandan ministers have on various occasions admitted this lapse.
When the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission visited Budalang'i, the leaders and elders of the area raised the question of determining the boundary on the lake.
I even wrote to the commission and pointed out that the boundary which the commission was giving in the draft constitution is the colonial railway marine route and not the international boundary as we, who live at the lake shore, know it.
We repeat, that the islands which Amin's soldiers seized during the coffee smuggling period are Kenyan, and the people who reside there are all Kenyans.
I have humbly requested President Kibaki to give audience to a few leaders who reside along the lake to present to him the boundary case so that he can initiate the dialogue, but to date, I have not received any response.
My submission is that we should not bury our heads in the sand. The international boundary on Lake Victoria is a real issue which our Government should not take lightly.
Negotiations with the Ugandan authorities will establish that all the inhabitants on these islands are Kenyan. Musambwa Rock was clearly marked by the colonialists as the meeting point between Kenya and Uganda.
If the Narc Government does not see our concern on this matter as important, then we beg it to facilitate us, the people who live along the lake shore, to start a dialogue with the Ugandans.
The ineffective meetings being chaired by provincial administrators simply dwell on fishing regulations and security.
Our fishermen are being accused of trespassing in the lake waters of our neighbours simply because the boundaries have not been clearly marked. They are being tortured by the security men of these neighbours. Our government must come to our aid now.
J. C. N. OSOGO,
Port Victoria.
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