Former Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetangula has accused the government of Kenya for deliberately agreeing to do a fresh demarcation of Migingo Island to solve a decade long crisis.
On Thursday, Foreign Affairs minister Monica Juma revealed plans to pump more resources towards demarcation of the Island, an exercise that will be done jointly with Ugandan government.
“It is a technical process, to mark the boundary. Does it mean we are going to begin renegotiating boundaries? No. That is not what it means. Our commitment is to respect the boundaries inherited at independence. That is an immutable starting point,” Dr Juma told a press conference in Nairobi during the ministry’s quarterly briefing.
Despite regular agreements with Uganda, Kenyan fishermen working in Migingo have often accused Ugandan security forces of harassment and arbitrary detentions.
But the Bungoma senator says Kenya already used Sh400 million for demarcation of the boundary, arguing that the country is falling to Ugandan 'mind games' over the standoff.
"CS Monica Juma says Kenya/Uganda to demarcate border to resolve migingo issue. This was in fact done in 2010/2011. It cost the taxpayer over ksh 400 000 000. What is the purpose of the new demarcation? Check records and resist our neighbour's mind games," he revealed.
Last month, Uganda President Yoweri Museveni pitched tent in Kenya for two days, with Migingo Island being the center of conversation. He also engaged President Uhuru Kenyatta over extension of SGR line to Kampala.
During the trip, the two leaders agreed to revise Migingo Island standoff besides opening more border points to allow free movement of people for the purpose of expanding trade ties.