VP rules out sending military to Mogadishu

• Kenya to intensify diplomatic efforts to end crisis triggered by factional wars

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has ruled out military intervention in resolving the Somalia conflict.

But Kenya, will “zealously’’ guard her borders against aggression from any quarter, Mr Musyoka said on Friday.

And speaking at a passing out parade for Administration Police in Gilgil, President Kibaki, in reference to the Somalia crisis, acknowledged that the situation was “still fluid”.

The president pointed out that the flow of illicit arms, foreigners and contraband into Kenya was still a major challenge.

Globalisation and new technologies had also come with sophistication of crime, added the President.

“For our country to remain safe, we will need to diversify our approaches and get more involved in regional security initiatives to assist neighbouring states, especially Somalia, achieve stability,” he said.

He went on: “We will also need to adopt new technologies even as we pursue new opportunities through partnerships with our friends from the rest of the world.”

Mr Musyoka said the country would intensify its diplomatic efforts to end the crisis triggered by fights against the Somalia transitional government by Islamic militants.

“We also urge the international community to urgently assist through peaceful means... the people of Somalia resolve the conflict and restore stability and hope in their country,” he added.

Mr Musyoka said Kenya would protect its national interest when under threat from any quarter to guarantee security for its citizens.

This, he said, would be done through securing borders and heightening vigilance, he said.

Mr Musyoka spoke at the launch of two books on peace negotiations that followed the post-elections violence of 2007 by Peace and Development Network Trust (PeaceNet) Kenya.

Meanwhile, hoteliers at the Coast are a worried lot. They say tourism, still struggling to recover from the slump after the post election violence and the global economic crunch, could yet succumb to the effects of what they see as the unthinkable: war with Somalia.

“The biggest threat when a neighbour is at war is that of security and for us that is something we cannot fathom given that it will affect both charter and regular flights that from the source markets of foreign tourists,” said the Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers Coast region chairman Titus Kangangi.

Reports by Simon Siele and VPPS