Arms whistleblower proved right

When the campaigner for seafarers’ rights, Mr Andrew Mwangura, blew the whistle on the T-72 tanks destined for South Sudan, he was arrested and charged with making alarming statements.

He was also charged with being in possession of bhang. Although he was acquitted by the court on both charges, doubts remained over his assertions that the 33 tanks were destined for Southern Sudan, contrary to the government position that they belonged to the Kenya military.

However, the diplomatic cables released by whistleblowing website WikiLeaks have vindicated Mr Mwangura.

According to the cables, the Russian-made tanks that the government denied were destined for South Sudan last year ended up there.

A 2009 cable released by the web site says a senior State Department official produced satellite images that appeared to show that the tanks unloaded in Kenya were trans-shipped to South Sudan.

When contacted over the latest developments on Sunday, Mr Mwangura, the coordinator of the Seafarers Assistance Programme, said he did not want to comment on the issues because of a pending case.

“You know I have sued the government in connection with this matter and that is why I don’t want to comment on this issue,” he said.

Apart from the tanks from the Ukraine, other assorted arms that were brought into the country by mv Faina consisted of more than 812 tonnes of ammunition.

The cargo also included unpacked spare parts for the tanks, Soviet-made anti-aircraft guns and rocket- propelled grenades.

The Chief of General Staff, Gen Jeremiah Kianga, laid claim to the cargo, insisting that the tanks and assorted arms belonged to the Kenyan military after pirates released the vessel they had captured off the coast of Somalia after ransom was reportedly paid.

But satellite photos released by WikiLeaks show that the T-72 tanks’ actual destination was South Sudan.