President William Ruto revealed details of his visit to Uganda next week on Saturday.
Ruto told Homa Bay residents that security concerns at the border involving Kenyan fishermen and Uganda’s military would be on the agenda of his meeting with President Yoweri Museveni.
President Ruto assured residents that he would consult with Museveni on how to best resolve the conflict before it escalated into a full-fledged diplomatic crisis.
“All we want is good neighboring relations, and we want our security forces to work together. I will sort it out. No need to worry,” he added.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, for her part, stated that the recent attacks hampered lake fishing, depleting the residents’ primary source of income.
Wanga claimed that in the last six months, over 75 Kenyan fishermen had been arrested while fishing at the lake.
She claimed that some of the fishermen were abducted by Ugandan police.
“It is concerning that our fishermen are being attacked by Ugandans and end up being kidnapped in the country.” Ugandans also take our fish. They also target our police officers. “That is something that needs to be addressed,” Wanaga insisted.
“There are coast guards who are mandated to protect the fishermen by capturing them instead of protecting us from the fishermen. Something needs to be done,”
“I know with your word, they will stop this habit so that we can continue forward,” she added.
The remarks followed grievances raised by area residents who lamented that they were harassed and arrested while fishing in Lake Victoria.
Ruto was speaking after he launched the construction of the Mfangano Island Ring Road at Suba North Constituency.
