Oburu Oginga Urges Ruto, Museveni to End Lake Victoria Harassment Crisis
Oburu Oginga has appealed to Yoweri Museveni and William Ruto to declare Lake Victoria a shared facility managed jointly by both countries to end persistent harassment of fishermen.
Speaking publicly, the ODM Party leader urged the two Heads of State to streamline security operations on the lake, saying fishermen from both sides continue to suffer intimidation, arrests and confiscation of fishing gear.
Oburu directly addressed President Museveni, asking him to support a cooperative security framework that would eliminate hostility between Kenyan and Ugandan enforcement officers operating on the lake’s waters.
He stressed that Lake Victoria should not be treated as contested territory but as a shared economic resource supporting thousands of families across Kenya and Uganda.
The senator warned that without structured joint management, fishermen will remain vulnerable to cross-border crackdowns that often escalate diplomatic tensions between the neighbouring states.
His remarks come amid renewed calls from leaders in the Nyanza region for harmonised policies governing fishing rights, licensing and maritime patrols within the lake.
Oburu insisted that collaboration between Nairobi and Kampala would reduce friction, improve surveillance against illegal fishing and protect livelihoods without victimising small-scale fishermen.
He appealed to President Ruto to take the lead in initiating formal talks with Uganda aimed at establishing clear operational guidelines for security agencies deployed on the lake.
Lake Victoria remains a critical economic lifeline for communities in western Kenya, contributing significantly to the fishing industry and regional trade.
By pushing for joint security management, Oburu signalled growing political pressure on both governments to resolve long-standing disputes and guarantee stability on the shared waters.
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