Operations in the disputed island of Migingo Island, is yet to fully normalise, a week after the Kenyan Government moved to ease tension in the area
Half of the 300 Kenyan fishermen have kept off the island since last weekâ??s incident, where Ugandan police beat up and seriously injured three Kenyan Adminstration Police officers.
Speaking from the island, John Awiti, a fisherman said that despite the visit by the Kenyan security team, many fishermen were still fearful about returning to the island.
â??A number of fishermen are still operating in the surrounding beaches like Muhuru, Nyandiwa and Sori,â? Awiti, said adding that they want to be sure of the security on the island before coming back.
Last week, a security team headed by Nyanza PPO Joseph Ole Tito and included Nyatike Sub County Commissioner Moses Ivuto, and Migori County Police Commandant Clement Gatogo visited the island where they met the islandâ??s occupants as well as the police officers stationed on the area.
Ivuto said the meeting had gone on very well and all the pending issues had been discussed and solved peacefully.
â??We had a good meeting with all the occupants and I believe we solved all the issues,â? he said, adding that the occupants of the island were now able to go on with their normal life.
The fishermen are insisting that more has to be done to ensure that Kenyan fishermen are safe in the island before they feel safe enough to go back to their fishing activities.
â??We believe that the government can start by pushing for the release of the joint survey,â? Juma Ombori, an official of the beach Management Unit at the island said.
Migori Governor Okoth Obado has called for a quick resolution on the Migingo stalemate to enable the county to move forward with its development agenda.
â??We have big plans for the fishing industry but we can only implement them once we know the fate of Migingo,â? Mr Obado said.
The Standard Group Limited