Somalia pledges to improve ties

Somali President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed (right) arrived in Kenya on Sunday evening. Photo/FILE

What you need to know:

  • Leader in Kenya for a two-day state visit and talks with Kibaki

Somalia’s leader Sheikh Ahmed Sharif arrived in Kenya on Sunday for talks with President Kibaki and pledged to improve ties between the two.

President Ahmed, who is on a two-day state visit, will today discuss security issues, training of Somali’s police and border guards with President Kibaki, besides seeking bilateral support.

“I will do everything in my power to restore stability and get regional support,” he said.

Somalia’s Foreign Affairs and Security ministers as well as religious elders were at the airport to welcome him.

Speaking to journalists before receiving President Ahmed, Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang’ula dismissed claims that Kenya is under threat from Somali Islamists.

He said adequate precautions were in place to deal with any threat to Kenya’s security.

Mr Wetang’ula said the Kenyan border with Somalia would be kept secure, especially after the Al-Shaabab group, which has links to Al-Qaeda, made a foray into Kenya last year and kidnapped two Italian nuns in Mandera.

He was responding to remarks by Sheikh Hassan Yakoub Ali, a spokesman of the Coalition of Islamists controlling the Juba region in Southern Somalia, who said his group was ready to defend itself against Kenya.

“Kenya wants to invade us and we are ready to defend our land,” Sheikh Yakoub said.

Last month, Internal Security minister George Saitoti warned the militia to release the nuns or Kenya would forcefully enter Somalia.

The nuns were, however, released after the Italian Government negotiated with the militia.

Rejected oil

Mr Wetang’ula said the recent visit by the Iranian President explored several issues, including oil importation, but denied media reports that Kenya rejected oil from that country worth Sh150 billion.

The minister said the Iranians had not offered discounted prices, but had agreed to accept payment after 90 days.

Mr Wetang’ula also disputed claims by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda that genocide fugitive Felicien Kabuga was hiding in Kenya.