Barely two weeks after Uganda deployed elite Special Forces Command at the disputed Migingo island, Kenyans based in the area have complained of being harassed by the new soldiers.
According to Kenyans living on the island, residents are being forced to pay Sh70,000 fee to get registration numbers for their boats and an additional Sh4,000 weekly taxes.
“We have been instructed to pay up the amount to Ugandans as it is required by law in their country to register all boats which we don’t have in Kenya,” one of the fishermen was quoted by the Star.
Another resident claimed that some of the new soldiers were beating locals who declined to pay the new taxes.
However, Migori county commander David Kirui refuted the claims stating that Kenyans had not raised the issues before.
“So far the island is peaceful. Sadly, during numerous joint meetings between Kenya and Uganda officials at the island these issues never come up,” Mr Kirui said.
Kenyans have maintained that the island falls in Kenya, a decision which Uganda has declined to accept. Two weeks ago Uganda deployed new soldiers at the island but failed to offer any explanation regarding the decision.
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In March 2016, Kenya and Uganda agreed to appoint coordinators to determine where the disputed island was placed between the two countries.
