At times i wonder who just cursed these people.
[I]Nyatike MP Edick Anyanga wants officers from the Kenya Navy stationed at the disputed Migingo Island to quell simmering tension in the area.
The legislator asked President Uhuru Kenyatta to order the deployment of the officers as a way of protecting the country’s sovereignty.
There is disquiet at the tiny island after news emerged of plans by Uganda to station new military officers to man the area.
Migingo is endowed with abundant supply of fish, hence the interest between Kenya and Uganda on its location.
While Kenya has maintained that the 0.5 acre rock is in its territory, its neighbour says the waters bordering the island is theirs.
But Anyanga said a plan by Uganda to withdraw the existing marine officers at the island and replace them with a new batch has sparked anxiety.
He questioned the timing of the changes especially with the planned August 8 poll, adding that he suspects a plot by Uganda to interfere with the general election.
“We have complaints of harassment of Kenyans living along the border with Uganda in Western and Nyanza,” Anyanga said.
Read: Kenya, Uganda hold security meeting in Migingo
“We need a strong statement from Kenya in regard to soldiers crossing over into the country to met atrocities against citizens,” the MP said.
Anyanga said Lake Victoria is considered an international water body, hence needs to be shielded by Kenya Defence Forces.
“The request for the Navy is long overdue. We passed the motion during the 10th parliament to the effect,” the legislator said on phone on Wednesday.
The MP said that the matter needs to be resolved once and for all so that the livelihoods of those who depend on the water is not disrupted.[/I]