Island ownership: Kenya, Uganda should not fight

When Kenyan and Ugandan clashed recently over ownership of Migingo island, Kibaki and Museveni were forced to step in and save the row at least for the moment until a further solution is sought.

migingo island NqDrb 17684

The small island has been a teething issue between Kenya and Uganda since the two East African countries claim ownership.

Should the two leaders fail to arrive a solution soon, then already strained diplomatic relations between Kenya and Uganda would explode to something else.

Kenya has been on news over its numerous land feuds that have haunted it since post- independence and no matter how constitutionally we think we are right over owneship of land, we have proved inept in solving land problems.

Last week, an operation by Ugandan soldiers drove away hundreds of Kenyan fishermen from the Lake Victoria island. Ugandan authorities lay claim to the Island. Note no one can legally lay claim to its ownership since no one has a title deed and if the two countries failed to deal with the issue amicably, then something should be wrong somewhere.

Kibaki and Museveni have obviously been the best of friends if an allegation that Ugandan troops chipped in quelling election aftermath in Kenya was true, and of course this is not the only reason for instance Museveni was also the first African leader and I bet world over to congratulate Kibaki after the disputed poll results..

On the other hand Uganda being a land locked country, it has all reasons to remain friends with Kenya. Museveni should be more than willing to solve the impasse, after all, such a small island should not cause a chink in his Armour, the same case applies to Kibaki..

But it seems Ugandans are calling shots over the whole issue even though the status quo remains until a further agreement is made since already after Kenyan policemen withdrew from the Island fishermen from Kenya had no alternative other than leaving.

Now they feel cheated and deserted by their own government, people who have been residents at the island for more than a decade are now homeless.

This implied that the Kenyan government had given up the Island to Uganda since even petitions by Kenyan fishermen for the officers to at least remain and grant them security failed.

Kibaki and Museveni should as quick as possible solve this matter, this should be the last time that these countries clash over the Island.