Kenya calls for use of force on Somali pirates

• Mr Wetang'ula insists that ransom should not be paid, as doing so would empower the pirates.
• Kenya Navy to start patrols on Somalia territorial waters
• Pirates have made between US$30-50 million from ransom payments over the last two years.

On Tuesday, the British Broadcasting Corporation reported that the weapons were headed to Southern Sudan as per the freight manifests which had the acronym “GOSS.” The BBC had interpreted the acronym to mean “Government of Southern Sudan,” but Mr Wetangula said it stood for “General Ordinance Supply and Security.” “You cannot take initials and apply them narrowly... the Government is not a broker,” he said.

Mr Wetang'ula maintained that the information on the bill of lading was “correct.” He however, ruled out the release of contracts pertaining to the arms for public scrutiny.

Mr Wetang'ula said that if evidence emerges that shows otherwise, then it will be dealt with by the government.

"These are security matters... no government worth its salt will parade security contracts to the media," he said.

Since the arms were captured by the pirates, speculation has been rife that the arms were headed to Southern Sudan, although both the Kenya and South Sudan Governments have denied the reports.

A spokesman for the East African chapter of the Seafarers Assistance Programme Andrew Mwangura, who was the first to disclose that the arms were actually destined for Southern Sudan, was arrested last week and charged. But was released on bond on Tuesday.