Kenya, Somalia border row targeted in Sh5.6bn mapping plan
President Uhuru Kenyatta. Photo/FILE
What you need to know:
Kenya is under obligation to carry out the exercises in conjunction with her neighbours-Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and South Sudan— a report by President Uhuru Kenyatta says.
Kenya will spend more than Sh5.6 billion over the next five years to carry out survey, mapping and maintenance of its international boundaries.
The country is under obligation to carry out the exercises in conjunction with her neighbours-Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and South Sudan— a report by President Uhuru Kenyatta says.
The report titled “Progress Made in Fulfilling the International Obligations of the Republic”, tabled by Mr Kenyatta in Parliament two weeks ago says the country is required to submit International Boundary Surveys to the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) by 2017 together with accompanying treaties.
“Kenya has to be in agreement with her neighbouring countries as regards the common international boundaries,” Mr Kenyatta said .
“The challenges include ambiguous description of boundaries, inadequate funding for the survey and capacity building and the fact that Kenya cannot carry out surveys alone but must do so in liaison with her neighbours.”
Mr Kenyatta says the declaration on the African Union Border Programme (AUBP) was demanded by the persistence of border delimitation and demarcation issues in Africa where only less than a quarter of the boundaries have been delimitated and demarcated.
Kenya has been conducting a joint border demarcation with Uganda after a dispute arose over the control of the fish-rich Migingo and Ugingo islands.
The Administration and National Security committee chaired by Tiaty Member of Parliament Asman Kamama told Parliament last week that the only clearly demarcated boundary between Kenya and her neighbours is the border with Ethiopia.
Kenya is already involved in a row with Somalia over the maritime border, raising concern that the feud may deter multinational oil companies from exploring for oil and gas offshore.
The two nations disagree over the location of their boundary in the Indian Ocean.At stake are legal claims to sell rights for exploration and collect revenue from any discovery.
Kenya had identified eight new offshore exploration blocks available for licensing, and all but one of them are located in the contested area.
President Kenyatta says in his report that the AUBP declaration was also informed by the need to address cross-border crime.
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