Fresh tensions have emerged on the waters of Lake Victoria, with Kenyan fishermen raising new allegations of harassment and illegal charges near the disputed Migingo Island.
The concerns were amplified by Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga, who made a direct appeal to Yoweri Museveni, urging intervention to address the situation affecting fishermen operating in the shared waters.
Speaking on Saturday, March 21, 2026, during the launch of the Kisumu–Malaba SGR project, Oburu called for renewed cooperation between Kenya and Uganda, proposing joint management of Lake Victoria to ease tensions.
“And Your Excellency, President, I appeal to you… make this lake a common user facility so that security can be managed jointly. We don’t want harassment from either side,” he said.
His remarks come amid growing complaints from fishermen who claim they are being subjected to routine intimidation by Ugandan security personnel while accessing fishing grounds near Migingo Island.
According to Hesbon Ouko, chairperson of the Sori Beach Management Unit, Kenyan fishermen are allegedly being forced to pay KSh2,000 per boat to operate in the contested waters. Those who fail to comply reportedly risk having their boats confiscated.
“We are still unable to freely conduct our fishing activities due to frequent patrols and intimidation,” Ouko stated.
He further claimed that attempts to resolve the matter through engagement with Ugandan authorities have not yielded progress, with enforcement on the lake remaining strict.
Oburu also appealed to William Ruto and Museveni to revisit past agreements, including the Migingo Memorandum of Understanding, to restore order and cooperation on the lake.
“President, I plead with you and President Ruto… let this be a common user facility, the way it used to be,” he added.
The dispute over Migingo Island and surrounding fishing zones has persisted for years, driven by unclear boundaries and competition over the lake’s rich resources.
Despite previous commitments by both governments to resolve the standoff, fishermen say the situation on the ground remains unchanged, with access to key fishing areas continuing to be a source of friction.
