The fishermen had complained of arrest and assault by Ugandan authorities that occupy Migingo Island.

They also complained that the harassment had pushed many of them out of the lucrative fish business.

Fishermen are frequently harassment in the lake by foreign authorities over alleged territorial dispute over Migingo Island.

Last year, Ugandan authorities drove out more than 800 fishermen from the island claiming it belongs to the neighbouring country.

Speaking in Nyatike constituency during the homecoming party for local MP Edick Anyanga, the Prime Minister asked Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to intervene to resolve the lake boundary conflict.

"We have the authority to protect the right of Kenyans and we know Migingo Island belongs to Kenya and its bad for Ugandans to claim it ," Raila said.

Moral obligation

The PM said a survey had shown that the island belongs to Kenya and, therefore, Ugandans had no moral obligation to claim it.

He disclosed that an inter-ministerial committee had been formed here and in Uganda to look into the matter.

The local team includes Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula, James Orengo (Lands), Paul Otuoma (Fisheries) and Internal Security Minister George Saitoti. The PM asked the two teams to move fast to resolve the territorial conflicts threatening bilateral relationship between the two countries.

Raila was responding to fishermen’s pleas raised by MPs Anyanga (Nyatike), John Mbadi (Gwasi) and John Pesa (Migori).

Raila said other islands had been invaded by foreigners, but assured the gathering that the State was addressing the matter with the concerned Governments.

Present at the function were Cabinet ministers James Orengo, Otieno Kajwang’, Dalmas Otieno and Paul Otuoma .

Dr Otuoma said his ministry would lift the ban on omena (dagaa fish) in Lake Victoria as a strategy to ease food crisis in the region.

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