News
Kenya Navy takes out the big guns
A Kenya Navy warship sails out of the Likoni channel to escort the MV Faina ship which was released by Somali pirates last week. The MV Faina which is carrying military hardware, including tanks, was released after its owners paid a ransom of about Sh232million. Photo/GIDEON MAUNDU
Posted Sunday, February 8 2009 at 20:30
The Kenya Navy sent out a warship and security in Mombasa was tightened at sea and on land ahead of the anticipated arrival of MV Faina, the weapons-laden Ukrainian Ship seized by pirates four months ago.
The ship is said to be on the high seas, under the escort of American warships. It was released after the payment of a Sh262 million ransom to Somali pirates.
Highly placed sources that did not wish to be named said the ship, which is carrying military equipment the government says belongs to the Kenya military, could arrive Tuesday afternoon.
The source hinted that the arrival of the ship would be followed by a press briefing from senior government officials.
A Kenya Navy warship patrolled the waters near Mombasa and was on Sunday afternoon seen heading out to sea. Plain clothes policemen were seen keeping watch around the busy Mama Ngina drive towards the lighthouse but no information was forthcoming from the government on the ship.
Our source said top officers were held up in meetings between the regular police, the General Service Unit and the Kenya Navy.
Mv Faina was released last week after pirates pocketed a $3.5 million (Sh262.5 million) ransom after four months of being held in the breakaway Puntland.
The vessel will likely be put under heavy security while entering Kenyan territorial waters and at the port.
Mv Faina is carrying 33 T-72 Soviet-made tanks and crates containing small arms which were destined for Mombasa at the time it was hijacked.
There have been allegations that the arms were intended for the government of Southern Sudan, but Kenya has claimed the weapons and the Sudanese have denied that the shipment is theirs. Sudan is under a United Nations arms embargo.
Increase of piracy
After unprecedented increase of piracy in the Gulf of Aden – one of the busiest sea routes for commercial ships in the world – pushed insurance and freight costs high, the international community reacted by deploying allied forces in the area.
Pirates conducted successful hijackings despite the presence of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) European Union allied forces war ships with the most daring hijack being that of Sirius Star, a Saudi Arabian super tanker.
A $3 million ransom was paid for the release of the oil tanker which was taken with $100 million worth of crude oil on board.
A week ago it was announced that Kenya had agreed to prosecute and punish pirates arrested by the navies patrolling the waters off Somalia.
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Submitted by nani_ngombePosted February 10, 2009 11:52 AM
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Submitted by somoinaa
ZAIT and b2jay2003. your comments only highlight your ignorance and narrow sense of patriotism. As a Military man myself, I cannot help by wonder whether you are schooled in such matters as weaponry or have any basic understanding of the Geopolitical realities of this region. After my years in uniform, it is difficult to avoid feeling outraged by the scandalous expression such as those you two have made here. Please educate yourself and then make informative contributions.
Posted February 10, 2009 10:32 AM -
Submitted by enda
I only see one "big gun", an what appers to be three individuals standing in front of it.
Posted February 10, 2009 09:20 AM -
Submitted by sassa
several weeks late guys, the pirates already left with their loot! hope next time you will anticipate problems...
Posted February 10, 2009 07:44 AM -
Submitted by gotea2005
@yesuwangu,I don't see anywhere indicated who paid the ransom and unless if you are reading from a different script, I feel you have no basis whatsoever for your argument! Its good news that MV Faina has been released atlast!Further,it has been released without any bloodshed or loss of human life makes it even better! One thing though,who paid the ransom?
Posted February 10, 2009 07:41 AM
RSS
somoinaa; I don't have to be a trained sailor to type into Google and see the 'real big guns' out there. For sure this Kenyan one is an insult. It looks like a re-conditioned Bajuni fishing boat. Now I understand the heavy US Navy presence on Kenyan waters to fight Somali piracy. In areas like Kiunga, the USMarines order their Kenyan counterparts like small boys.