The Cabinet has agreed on a roadmap to resolving the maritime border dispute between Kenya and Somalia. In a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta, and attended by Cabinet Secretaries, the maritime dispute was discussed and also measures for safeguarding Kenya’s territorial integrity. The maritime dispute has brewed a storm and affected diplomatic relations between Kenya and the Federal Republic of Somalia, after Kenya drew attention to the fact that Somalia tried to auction oil exploration rights for a disputed part of the Indian Ocean, measuring 100,000 square kilometres. The case of the triangular patch of land is yet to be resolved at The International Court of Justice.
On Thursday evening, Foreign Affairs CS Monica Juma said no territory will be surrendered to Somalia, and that they are still waiting for a detailed response from Somalia on the concerns raised so far. Other issues brought up in the Cabinet meeting include the Sectional Properties Bill 2018, which was discussed and approved. The Bill simplifies the process of registering sectional properties and creates an enabling environment for investors and property owners. Cabinet also discussed and approved the operationalization of the Kenya Commodities Exchange (KEC), which will address the constraints faced by farmers and consumers by providing an organized market through a single platform which will ensure better farm gate prices for farmers. They also approved the hosting of the 12th Commonwealth Women Affairs Ministers Meeting in September 2019.
