Kenyan High Commissioner to Uganda, Joash Maangi has urged the Busia County Government to embrace diplomacy with the Ugandan government with a view to ensure peaceful coexistence and enhance trade along the border.
Speaking during a courtesy call to the Busia Governor’s office on Tuesday, Ambassador Maangi said that the move will create markets for Kenyan goods in foreign countries.
“As Kenya we get our imported goods from Mombasa while Uganda get theirs from Malaba and Busia,’ he said.
He added that the Kenyan government is very keen on having a friendly working relationship with Uganda at the National level stating that the County leadership should follow suit.
“Our two presidents are very close and it is therefore our responsibility to ensure that the people down here are also very close,’ he said.
The High Commissioner hailed Busia County security team for providing adequate security stating that Ugandans have not complained of any security lapse for the past six months.
“That is an indication that our security team is doing very good work through cross border key leaders engagement led by the County Commissioner,” he said.
Ambassador Maangi further stated that the government is also committed to protecting the interest of the fishermen at both Migingo and Port Victoria.
“We are here on a fact finding mission on the issues affecting Kenyans at the border so that we can address it from an informed position,” he said.
The High Commissioner later held a meeting with officials from Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya coast guard, Fishery and county security team at Port Victoria.
He was briefed on the challenges that are being experienced by officials and residents which include unlawful arrest and detention of Kenyan fishermen by the Ugandan security agencies.
By Omondi Rodgers
