Siaya Senator James Orengo has appealed to President Uhuru Kenyatta to take Uganda to International Criminal Court (ICC) over disputed Migingo Island.
Speaking in Migori County on Saturday, Orengo cited continuous harassment of local fishermen by Ugandan authorities.
He blamed the government for laxity on the contentious issue on the ownership of Migingo.
“The question of the Island called Migingo which is in the territory of Kenya is undisputed as part of Kenya. That issues should be resolved and I am advising President Uhuru Kenyatta that the matter should be taken to the ICC,” said Orengo.
For years, local fishermen have decried harassment in the area.
In September last year, Ugandan officials lowered the Kenyan flag in the area, despite an initial agreement for joint policing of the one-acre piece of rock surrounded by fish-rich water.
To avoid a potential clash, the Kenyan security forces backed down after the aggressive Ugandan officers pulled down the flag in lake Victoria and removed the post.
The fishermen accused the officials of confiscating their boats and fishing gear.
The incidents have put the government on the spot for downplaying the problems facing the locals.
Orengo stated that he’s ready to represent the locals at the international court.
“I am ready to represent Kenya and the people of Migori for free at The Hague. If we go there, we will ask Museveni since when did Migingo become part of Uganda,” he said.
Read:Business Halted As Ugandan Security Forces Lower Kenyan Flag At Migingo Island
His comments come a year after opposition leaders demanded that the diplomatic tussle between Kenya and Uganda over Migingo Island be referred to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Recently Senator Moses Wetangla also termed Uganda’s claim of the island illegal.
The Ford Kenya leader accused the government of laxity in taking control of Migingo island.
On his part, during President Yoweri Museveni’s visit to Kenya, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced that the two countries were working together to solve the dispute.
“Lake Victoria is an important transboundary resource that has continued to support the livelihoods of our people, not just in Kenya and Uganda but the entire East African region,” President Kenyatta said.
The country is yet to see progress on Uhuru’s promise.
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