Security threat behind flight cancellation, say MPs

• Lawmakers cite the controversial saga over Migingo Island and the invasion of sections of North Eastern Province by Al-Shabab militia as key reasons.

MPs have linked the cancellation of United States- Kenya direct flights to a threat on our national borders.

The lawmakers cited the controversial saga over Migingo Island and the invasion of sections of North Eastern Province by Al-Shabab militia as key reasons that led to the cancellation of the international flight.

Ikolomani MP Boni Khalwale (New Ford Kenya) blamed the cancellation of flights to the presence of Ugandan soldiers and Somali militia on Kenyan soil.

Other MPs among them Nyatike’s Omondi Anyanga (ODM), Rarieda’s Nicholas Gumbo (ODM) and nominated MP Rachel Shebesh alluded to a security threat on Kenya’s territorial boundaries following the recent lapses in border security.

However, Defence minister Yusuf Haji said Kenya’s territorial integrity was “not threatened.” He said the country’s military was “closely monitoring the borders.”

Mr Haji denied any threats to Kenya’s security and refuted claims that the indefinite postponement of flights was due to the porous national borders.

The minister said Kenya could not “force” the US to start its flights to Nairobi.

He caused a stir when he pledged ‘official ignorance’ regarding the postponement of the four-times-a week flight.

“I have not been officially notified of the cancellation,” the minister said.

The inaugural flight by the US Airline from Atlanta to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport was postponed indefinitely on Tuesday.

Prior to this cancellation, the airline had been touted as a key player in linking Kenya and US in an attempt to gain from the expected tourism surge following the election of President Obama whose ancestry is Kenyan.

He said Kenya, being a member of the East Africa Community and the African Union; it was “inconceivable” that it could be attacked by any other member states.

“Kenya is not under any immediate threat of invasion by any neighbouring country,” the minister said. “Kenya’s national security cannot be left to chance.”

The Minister said the situation in Somalia was being monitored by the AU, the United Nations, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad) and the joint forces from EAC member countries.

But, Ms Shebesh said the minister and his Foreign Affairs counterpart “are not on the same page” since they were giving conflicting information.

The nominated MP said the East Africa Legislative Assembly (Eala) and the Pan African Parliament had already raised a red-flag over the recent occupation of Migingo Island by Ugandan forces.