Patrick Mayoyo

31 August 2010

Nairobi — The tiny Migingo island that has been at the centre of an ownership row between Kenya and Uganda has only 131 Kenyans.

The census report says Migingo has 62 Kenyan females and 69 males. However, the figure was disputed by Migingo residents.

Mr Juma Ombori, the chairman of Migingo Beach Management Unit, said there are more than 1,000 Kenyans on the island.

"The figure of 131 Kenyans on Migingo island as indicated by the national census is misleading," he said.

Mr Ombori said most Kenyans on the disputed island were not counted because of a stand-off between Kenyan and Ugandan security personnel.

"The Ugandan security officers blocked enumerators from counting Kenyans, a development that resulted in a stand-off," he said.

Mr Ombori said the census officials left the island and promised to return after consultations, but this did not happen.

"It is because of this development that most Kenyans on Migingo island were not counted," he said.

The row over the one-acre island has simmered since 2004 when Ugandan forces pitched tent to allegedly help fight piracy in Lake Victoria, but ended up controlling it.

The two East African states commissioned a survey to determine whether the island belonged to Kenya or Uganda last year.

However, the task was suspended after surveyors failed to agree on how to conduct the assignment.

The Kenyan team, however, went ahead and prepared a report which it presented to the government.

Although the report has not been made public, President Kibaki declared that the disputed Migingo island belongs to Kenya.

On Tuesday, Mr Ombori said Kenyan fishermen on the island were still being harassed by Ugandan security officers and appealed to the government to resolve the ownership row and guarantee safety of its citizens.