Former Chief Justice David Maraga has outlined how he would resolve the long-standing Kenya–Uganda–Indian Ocean access stalemate should he be elected president of Kenya.

Speaking during an interview aired on Monday, December 16, 2025, on the DWJ Podcast, Maraga addressed Uganda’s concerns over access to the Indian Ocean, noting that the issue stems more from strained relations than territorial entitlement.

Maraga observed that Uganda has expressed frustration with how Kenya handles bilateral trade and transit matters, a situation he believes requires introspection rather than confrontation. He emphasised the need for Kenya to understand the specific grievances being raised by Uganda and to address them constructively.

“I think they said that they are frustrated by the way Kenya handles them. My concern will be, what kind of are we frustrating Uganda?” Maraga stated

He described Uganda as a critical regional partner, alongside countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi. According to Maraga, these nations form an essential market for Kenya’s manufactured goods, and any deterioration in relations could have serious economic consequences.

Maraga stated that his approach would focus on preserving and strengthening business relationships within the region. He stressed that Kenya should avoid actions that could alienate its key trading partners, warning that disrupting access to these markets would be detrimental to the country’s economy.

“Mine will be addressing what they are complaining about. I want to keep that business relationship,” Maraga said.

On the question of access to the Indian Ocean, Maraga dismissed the notion that every landlocked country must possess its own territory leading to the ocean. He argued that the core issue lies not in territorial demands but in perceived unfair treatment, which he said fuels such complaints.

The former Chief Justice concluded that addressing Uganda’s concerns through dialogue and fair treatment would eliminate the tension surrounding access to the Indian Ocean and reinforce regional cooperation.

The stalemate

His remarks follow the release of a statement by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who recently warned that failure to resolve the issue could potentially lead to future conflicts.