Kenya to probe report rebels use city as base

Kenya has promised to investigate reports that a Ugandan rebel group is recruiting Somali refugees living in the country to topple President Yoweri Museveni’s government.

Internal Security assistant minister Orwa Ojode denied knowledge of the presence of Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) elements in the country.

“I am not aware of any rebel groups in Kenya, give me time to counter-check the information because I’ve been away in China,” said Mr Ojode.

A new report released by the United Nations claims that the rebel group is using Nairobi as its economic and financial hub.

“Nairobi has served as the hub of ADF economic and financial activities,” says the report by a group of experts investigating compliance with UN sanctions against rebel groups operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Described by the panel as “a Ugandan Islamist rebel force” seeking to overthrow the Ugandan government, the ADF is said to include about 1,000 combatants.

It has recently recaptured a territory lost to the DRC military, the report says.

Kenyan authorities raided a Nairobi home a few months ago and captured one of the sons of ADF leader Jamil Mukulu, the UN panel reports.

In October, a UN sanctions committee added Mukulu to its list of individuals designated for a travel ban and asset freeze, the report notes.

The report is likely to add pressure on the government, which has been long accused of harbouring Rwandese fugitive Felicien Kabuga. Kenya has denied claims that the Rwandese fugitive is hiding in the country.