Date: Fri, 3 Apr 2009 02:38:30 -0700 [04/03/2009 04:38:30 AM CDT]
From: odhiambo okecth
Subject: Kenyans must demand action over Migingo
2nd April 2009
The world must know that for the last eight months, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda has been levying taxes on Kenyans leaving at Migingo Island, an Island in Kenya, 15 Kilometres from Muhuru mainland of Kenya and 260 Kilometres from the nearest mainland in Uganda.
This is an act of aggression.
During all that time, the world famed ruthlessness of the Kenya Police against Kenyans
and the brutality exhibited by the Kenya Army in Mt Elgon and Wagir against Kenyans has been conspicuously absent. The Kenya Police even took off from Migingo at the first sight of 2 armed Police Officers from Uganda.
Yesterday, Migosi Raila Odinga was emphatic that Migingo belongs to Kenya and that the Ugandan flag that has been hoisted there for the last eight months must be lowered immediately. He went on to say that only 6% of Lake Victoria belongs to Kenya. As a partner in this government, I would have wanted to hear from him that all those Ugandans at Migingo have been arrested for being in Kenya illegally, and are been detained at Kodiaga Prisons awaiting to appear in Court.
If 94% of the Lake belongs to Uganda and Tanzania, then, johana mane ma ooro Museveni mondo okaw Migingo Islands? [What is this madness that has made Museveni invade Kenya?]
Why are we negotiating with Museveni? If the Army, the Police and the politicians can not reclaim Migingo, the people will, the people of Kenya must. We will stop all transit
vehicles to Uganda, either through rail or road transport. We must stop all transit
vehicles either by rail or road into Uganda with immediate effect.
It is very simple;
1] The Kenya Police must immediately arrest all those people masquerading as Ugandan
Police at Migingo. They are in Kenya illegally. Do not negotiate this. It is so sad when
an invader shuts down our Minister in the presence of 2 Provincial Commissioners, the
Police Commanders and the press. Why is the Police Commissioner being sent to Uganda to negotiate with the invaders? Why has he never been sent to negotiate with Kenyans in areas of conflict? They cannot fool us!
2] The Armed Forces of Kenya must cease being ornaments best used for passing out
parades. They must defend the territorial space of Kenya. They must not negotiate with Museveni over any bit of an inch of Kenya. They must repulse those invaders with the full force that they can. Why move into Elgon and Wagalla with such might and force, and put your tails between your legs when your services are most needed? When Kenya has been invaded?
3] The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Kenya must know that Kenya has been invaded. He must act to protect Kenya and Kenyans. We do not eat new Districts. We eat the fish that Museveni is now controlling at Migingo. For Gods sake, can those people who meet Kibaki daily tell him that Migingo has been invaded and has been under the firm grip of Museveni for the last 8 months? And that he is the Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Armed Forces, as Mutula and Kalonzo likes reminding us.
Unless he and they know something that we do not know.
The Commander-in-Chief?s response to the Migingo crisis, now in its eighth month, leads most of us to confirm that there is a deal between him and Museveni. This deal is a fulfillment of favours earlier extended, or a deal expected in future. And that future is
2012.
If we look at how Kibaki has bestrowed Kenya in the past 6 years, I am convinced that the president does not mean well for Kenya. If a part of Kenya can be invaded by a country like Uganda and he keeps silent, then his leadership is wanting. It is also not by surprise that the President has refused to visit that same part of Kenya for the entire period he has been President of Kenya.
Museveni had invaded Rwanda and Kagame beat him so quickly and so ruthlessly that he cannot try again. He invaded DRC and again, Kagame came to the rescue of DRC and beat him there. He tried Tanzania and he knew the repercussions. He knows that Tanzanians will beat him and follow him to Kampala and topple him, the way they did with Idi Amin Dada.
He tried South Sudan, and the rag tag army of the southern Sudan dared him. They were ready for him any time, day or night. He cannot dare Ethiopia. He knows that Menes Zenawi does not take those kinds of jokes lightly.
He then turned to Kenya and invaded Migingo and for eight months, his flag has been high as he collects taxes from Kenyans.
The fact that our trigger happy police force could fold their tail and take off speaks
volumes. What is the rationale of unleashing too much force on students who are just
rioting while you turn a blind eye to an invader?
Where is the force needed? Against our own or against the invaders? I cannot believe that our normally ruthless police force could have left Migingo in fear of Museveni. There must have been an order to withdraw.
I also do not believe that our ceremonial ornaments in the barracks are that cowardly.
They invaded Mt Elgon and beat our own Saboat people ruthlessly. There must have been an order for non interference. If our Army can beat people senseless in Mount Elgon and in Wagir, what can stop them from beating these Ugandans from Migingo?
Or, is it that our police and army are at their best against civilians, people who have
no guns? People who cannot defend themselves?
Surely, if the Police could cordon off Uhuru Park for a whole one month in January 2007, can they surely be so afraid of Museveni and his team at Migingo? If the Police could kill so many Kenyans just to ensure that Kibaki became our President, can they not kill these 2 Ugandans at Migingo? Can they surely be so afraid in Migingo?
No. It is not the Police, it is not the Army. It is the Commander-in-Chief.
If the President does not want to take action, Kenyans must now defend their territorial integrity. We did it before by uprooting the Railway line to Uganda. We did it before by stopping all transit vehicles through Busia and Malaba.
If Uganda has invaded Kenya, and the Kenya Police and Army are under instructions not to intervene, Kenyans must take the law into their hands and protect our boundaries.
It is a shame that a rag tag army in Somali can act so swiftly whenever there is
territorial violations while an Independent Kenya, cries baby.
It is sad to note that the President is doing nothing to promote peace, national healing
and reconciliation in Kenya. He is refusing, for purposes of expediency, to be the symbol of national unity.
It looks to me like Migongo is an advance post for 2012, and we must view it as such.
Kenya must not loose any inch of land, more so to Yoweri Museveni.
If the Army and the Police are under instructions not to defend us, let us defend
ourselves. Sijivuni kuwa Mkenya!
Odhiambo T Oketch,
Koamrocks Nairobi.
Our people in lake region feel the same way Mr. odhiambo. Our major Islands: Mfangano and Rusinga are now at the mercy of Uganda(UDF) after conceding the desolated Migingo to them. I don’t know where you the writer hale from. We Islanders have rich history on how our people many centuries ago fought for these Islands in the wars of Jonyakwery in Mfangano Island against Wasaki and Waremba. From these ancient wars, we won and kept: Mfangano, Remba, Riengeti and Migingo Islands in Kenya column. These Islands may NOT mean damn thing to Nairobi but to our people these are our roots and homes!
During the good times and bad times our canoes sailed and fished these Islands to feed our women and children. Migingo winds brought plenty of fish to the sister Islands in this region… for those who cares to know the history of our lake region. Kenya feared army and the Police you are talking about in your article may have never set foot in lake region let alone the Island!. They don’t even know where these Islands are so asking them to defend these Islands is asking a lot brother!. The General chief of Staff Mr. Kiaga has stated on the record that “Migingo is tiny land not worth fighting for…it is the problem of map makers”. What do you think when UDF heard that this Island was NOT worth fighting from Kenya general?????.
Knowing what I know about my people they would not hesitate to go to war to liberate this Island and protect the other Islands in this lake region if the government of the President and the PM is not willing to protect Kenya territory!. It is very possible that our people would lose their lifes but for a good cause..defending the motherland. Both the President and the PM can talk all they want but whoever has the gold makes the rules!..now Uganda has the Island and Kenya fishermen are paying taxes in their own country. Even if UDF were evicted from the Island, will Kenya government demand that they must move 200 miles as required by international law to allow Kenya fishermen fish free is surrounding waters!. I thought Kenya has Navy and how can land locked country like Uganda has Marine force that can scare ocean Navy off?..or may Kenya has only Cost Guards to dock the cargo ships in Mombasa. With little government support we can defend this Island and take it back from this Banana Republic army. If T.J Mboya were a life today would any country
mess up with our Islands?..just a thought!. The leaders of this country today are prone to talk the talk but never walk the walk!. How many trips can Kenya delegation make to Uganda to beg for their own Island?, how many times can the PM tell us that this Island belong to Kenya and how many meetings can the President have with Mseveni who is lying to him and cannot keep his word? I hate to think that today: Migingo is gone,tommow Mfangano will go and the next day Rusinga will be gone if Museveni is rewarded with Migingo Island!. During the last election the people in lake region practiced politics 24/7 that “jakom” will solve what has ailed this region for years!. Where is Jakom when Migingo needs you?. May be a lesson and message to lake region people you are own your own and the mercy of UDF!
J.D Brown:
JD Brown
Daily nation 4/7/09 reports that Mr. Kibaki and Mr. Musevini” have agreed to solve Migingo Island peacefully”. Mr. President you don’t have the Island this..I hate to tell you and I don’t want to tell you Uganda President is “lying” strike that..he is misleading you.He has NOT kept any promise since you started sending delegation to Uganda. His troops have NOT left the Island and they don’t plan to do so in the near future. I double dog dare you Sir,..the occupying UDF troops on the Island will say that” they have not received marching orders to vacate the Island from Kamapala”. In diplomatic language this means buying time for the new maps to be negotiated later while they occupy the Island. How about it Mr. President Sir, why cant you sent your military troops to join UDF on the Island to give Kenya citizens sense of security?. You are telling the public that this Island issue is going to be solved soon.. we ask you: when and how?. The maps shows that this Island belonged to you and your country so what do you need new survey for?. Is Uganda really willing to compromise massive economic/trade relationship between the two countries over this tiny Island?. Why don’t you send Kenya your troops to the Island to call Mr. Museveni’s blaf and see if he will declare on your country!. We are pessimistic about the story Uganda President is telling you in Zambia while his troops are harassing your citizens on the Island. We are beginning to wonder what if this island was settled by other groups from other parts of Kenya..what actions would your government be taking now to protect this Island from Uganda expansion. We wish you luck that Mr. Musevini will come through this time and pull his troops out our Island without ANY BORDER ALTERATION!. We also suggest come and pay a visit to the Island after all you are the leader and President of this country!
I see Luo leaders are now speaking out on Migingo issue..what took you so long?. The leaders mentioned in Standard Newspaper should take a trip to lake regions Islands and see how Uganda aggresion is threatening the security and safety of our people. I am urging these leaders NOT to wait for Luo MPs, PM or PR to solve this issue. These politicians have know this problem for the last 8 months that UDF was occupying this island and they did nothing to stop it.
During the last general election is rumored that UDF were sent in some parts of Kenya to participate in the… election out come that plunged the country into bloodshed. One may now wonder is the current UDF deployment in this tiny Island was a deal made prevviously with Uganda government to use these Islands as staging area for future election Kenya intervention?. What else could it be, when the maps shows without any shadow of doubt that Migingo and Mfangano Island next to it are in Kenya territory yet Uganda flag is flying over Migingo Island!.
Leaders must lead..if these are true Luo leaders then this is your time to get this Island back. Your so called: Esteem or Honorable leaders are not willing to address this issue. In the last general election you Luos voted for these politicians and now they cannot come to your aid when this lake region needs them. This region is being threatened and being occupied by UDF while these MPS are in Nairobi enjoying their lucrative salaries and hefty benefits. May be Luos are giving themselves higher credit than they deserve in this country if they cannot help solve real issues affecting Luo communities. It high is time Luo people call out their leaders whether they MPS or elders to solve this Migingo issue if the government does not want to solve it.
I have been told that in Luoland style rule over substance..may be this times substance should rule over style in Migingo Island dispute with Uganda . Luo elders and general populace cannot sit back to see these Islands taken away from them. If their MPs and Kenya government cannot lift a finger to stop Uganda from doing so then let UDF come and occupy the entire Luo land region. How many times can Luos dance and worship these leaders at the funerals if they cannot protect Luo lands. But again, who is kidding who!.. in Luo politics!. 2012 election are coming where these politicians will come in your villages and buy you contaminated “changa” to win your votes for another election. They will NOT be asked WHO LOST MIGINGO ISLAND?.
Luo elders and the populace MUST petition their MPS by: calling and e-mail them to address this Migingo issue immediately.
Yoweri Mseveni your day will come. u can cant eat and swallow this world alone.
My friend us all come to our sober thinking.Migingo issue should not only be fought by Luos.If an enemy invades Nairobi, which tribe should fight back?This a matter of national concern.And we have someone with a title, commander in chief and the armed force of Kenya not central province.Ok, there may be other political intent to retaliate on the people of people of Western part of the country especially Luos but this is the most primitive approach.If this is the “Raila Isoaltion Movement hatched by Kalonzo,Uhuru and Saitoti for succession strategy, I predict a boomerang on these devils.If God gets annoyed, the punishment become bigger than the pain you try to inflict on His people.Why do we have elections if others are scheming on succession yet hurting the nation.Remember, our Kids are watching what is happening to them.Tomorrow if my kid becomes the President, would you also feel the pinch and complain if he takes you to HAGUE for neglect and rights abuse.
The more you plan malice, the more the ordinary citizens stick together.What a bout that hard working Kikuyu single woman whose business is buying fish in bulk to sell in Arthi River for processing. What about those laborious Kenyans employed in Fish farms outside Nyanza for the sake of their generations.
Now, museveni is showing that he is the buffalo of E.Africa.What does our Security minister George Saitoti say about this? He has never even said a word.But he would be quick to say, “shoot to kill in Western Kenya Demonstration”It’s not all about ruining RAILA’S politics, it is about ruining KENYA and yourself.Remember,BIWOT was the most powerful figure ever seen in Kenya.He is just a farmer now so will you.
Let me assure my Luo brothers that if you do anything stupid, we will cross the border for real. we have not crossed because Migingo is in Uganda! Any blockade will be treated as an act of war. Kenya has 24,000 troops (who have never been tested by the way). The last time i heard from them was when they were disarmed by warriors from Somalia. UPDF has 60,000 battle-hardened troops not counting the reserves. Ask the Chadians, Angola, Sudan, Zimbabwe or even DRC.
You keep mentioning you Airforce, as if it counts. This is Africa. All we need is a highly mobile force with sophisticated anti aircraft systems and I assure you your airforce can’t last a day. Then we will have you like sitting ducks. Have you ever heard that Uganda was attacked by an airforce. Ask the Zimbabweans and Angolans. They have a far superior airforce than Kenya but they steered clear of Kisangani.
We are waiting and are ready
Odhiambo T. Oketch
However much you spit your venom,Migingo will remain part of Uganda.Since this saga started,a section of the Kenyan goverment officials(notably the Odinga camp-ODM),have been provoking the Ugandan government,for example James Orengo referring to his counterparts as “hyenas” while his boss,Odinga,ordering the Ugandan security to withdraw,but why??,forgetting that the Ugandan security don’t get orders from Nairobi but from Kampala.
Odinga et al should know that the Ugandan security at Migingo is protecting the Ugandan fishermen against the Kenyan pirates who rob their fishing gear and that they are offering protection against those genocidaires(of Odinga and his top lietenants) that orchestrated the Kenya post election violence of 2007,hence their need to remain on the island willy nilly.
Moreover,in the Kenyans’ bid to declare war against Uganda,they have started cropping up with propagandist talk enriched with rumours,for example,the assertion in both the Standard and the Daily Nation,newspapers that a one,Brig “Echoti” of the UPDF has been dispatched the the Migingo islands to oversee the security and the deployment of 39 UPDF soldiers on the island.
For any sane and sensible person,such information should be dismissed with the contempt it deserves.First,in the UPDF,their is NO brigadier by the names of Echoti and if it were so,that he existed,how then can a brigadier be sent to command 39 soldiers?,does the Kenyan press know anything about the military?,this is in otherwords sheer madness.Their is need to first cross-check before scribbling nonsense,may be if tempers are inflamed between the neighbouring states,your their news will sell like hot cakes.
For the meantime,let the people of the two nations eagerly wait for the committee that was set up by the two presidents to review this issue instead of listening to doomsters like the Odhiambos of this world
To Spartan why are you so sure that Uganda will won Migingo Island?. I don’t profess to know a lot about military campaigns but don’t be so sure that Kenya would be a cake walk for Uganda army!. It is easier to start a war something else to finish it. Please, go to Google Earth Map and type in Migingo Island and see where this Island is exactly located in these two countries!.Yes, you may be right that Kenya Military has never been tested but there is always day one and beginning for everything and the war you are proposing here could be a test for Kenyan army! . Please a gain, visit this Google Earth map website to see which country owns this Island. Don’t let your emotions get the best of you if you wanted to be taken seriously in this Migingo Island debate. Note: you will see that this Island is on Kenya side and this map was not made yesterday Kenya or Uganda..it is the 1926 original map and if you start tampering with these borders maps where will it end?..these are the facts. There are so many things that these two countries should be talking about in this region and Migingo Island in NOT one of them.! I can’t stop you from feeling this way but if you think that Uganda will win this war: because of your 60,000 “well tested” troops, you have beaten: Chad, Angola, DRC Sudan more power to you!!. You may want to know that when you country was in these wars, Kenya was and is stil the life line of economic goods coming into your country, when your current President was in exile.it is was Kenya who hosted him, his daughter was also hosted in Kenya primary school during this time. I know you don’t care for facts and long term relationship about the two countries. Before you send your feared African army over the border. I don’t have ” a dog in this fight”..I am just looking at the dispute between these two countries over Migingo Island based on facts that has been provided to us in public. Let me kn is in Uganda territory..other readers would be interested to see this too!. Don’t feel sorry for Luos there are apart of Kenya society too. Defending Migingo Island will take all Kenyans so please you and your feared army should NOT cross the border hastily. Again, Mr Sparta, you may want to do some home work on “Why nations goes to wars”(world war two history), Alamo War(America/Mexico war) and General Custer: America/ Indian War litterateurs. After reading these sources if you chose to, you may find out your army crossing into Kenya as you are stating here may not be assure thing for that Uganda would win this war.
For Mr. David, all politicians tend to play to their home base and sometimes they used inflamatory language depending on the audience whether: be press or their voters. Yes, Mr. Orengo might have gone on the deep end with name calling and this should NOT be excused. The major actors in this dispute are the two Presidents: ODM, and Mr. Oginga, Orengo and some from your country are side shows!. These people will have zero impact in the out come of this disp now, Kenya people will be 100% behind their President to defend it. Some of us are often shy away from declarative statements that both your article an brother Sparta have used here that “Migingo will..remain apart of Uganda”. I is hard to know all the facts on the Island from where you and I are sitting and writing these blogs from. We have rely on the public statements that were made when Kenya delegations came to Kampala sometimes ago that UDF had to pull out of the Island when the maps were being shorted out, The second communique was between the two Presidents again as I understand it the uDF would have evated the Island while waiting for the mappers to finish their job. These are the facts in attempt to find solution for this dispute. As we speak, UDF is still on the Island. In your article, you seem to be justifying the UDF stay on the Island is to protect Uganda fishermen from” Kenya pirates..”genocidardaires”…of Odinga..top lietenants” Again here are the facts as we know them: Kenya fishermen are pay levy taxes to Uganda for the use of the Island that is defenatel still in dispute as you too have a tested to. Your use of ( GENOCIDE LANGUAGE) is incendiary terms that should NOT be uttered in this dispute. I bet you country is closer to Rwanda than Kenya ..by now you may want to know the the consequences of using inflammatory rhetoric language in Rwanda and how it did turn out!..just a word of caution my friend! Let us all debate this dispute with facts and logic as we know them and we must keep our motions and feeling out of this debate! Good luck if you chose to rebuttal the facts in Migingo Island dispute, I wait to hear from you.
JD Brown
Thats a lame view- U dont know dilpmacy? and more so never undermine Uganda!- its really a lame post Boy!
To Jetty:
I am sorry to confuse you with the facts..what is your point?. Can you elaborate on how your sense of “diplomacy” would work in this case. To say that Uganda is being “undermined” by this post does demonstrate your lack of understanding on this issue. I will only respond to you again if you present logical arguments that can benefit the: writers and the readers of this blog.
JD Brown