Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party flagbearer, Raila Odinga, discussed the ongoing fishing row between Kenya and Uganda during his tour in the neighbouring country.
Speaking in Busia on Thursday, May 26, the former Prime Minister told the residents that he reached out to Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni and sought to find a lasting solution to the perennial crisis fishermen face while at work on Lake Victoria.
However, he was yet to speak with Museveni on the release of nearly 20 fishermen who are detained in Uganda after they were arrested while fishing in Lake Victoria. Raila assured that he would ensure the fishermen are granted their freedom.
"I held talks with President Museveni last week. I didn’t know our people were detained there. I’ll ask him to release them because fish in the lake does not belong to anyone," Raila stated.
Raila explained that he would spearhead inter-regional dialogue between Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania to resolve the fishing row hampering diplomatic relations between the three countries.
He further revealed plans to strengthen ties aimed at ensuring East African integration and removal of boundary limitations.
"We are pushing to have the border points opened until we create the Federation of East Africa," Raila remarked.
On May 19, Raila met Museveni at State House in Entebbe. The details of their meeting were, however, not released to the public.
The meeting was the first between the two leaders in years.
Raila's request came days after four students, including two KCPE and one KCSE candidate, were detained in Uganda for being in possession of illegal fishing gear and trespassing Uganda.
The students were reportedly handed a Ksh50,000 fine each or a six-month jail term.
“We are unable to raise the fine. I tried to convince [prison authorities] to release the school-going children when I visited the prison last week but they were adamant," one of the parents told NTV.
The students were later set free after Kenyan leaders intervened.
