Ongeri denies linking ex-President to attack

Foreign Affairs minister Sam Ongeri has denied remarks attributed to him implicating former Somali President Sheikh Shariff Ahmed in an assassination attempt at a Mogadishu hotel.

The minister said the government had a good working relationship with the former president and reports that he had said he was behind the assassination attempt on his successor Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud were reckless.

“I have never and will never make such a statement,” said Prof Ongeri during a press conference on Wednesday. (READ: Ongeri reveals Somalia power plots behind assassination bid)

The alleged assassination attempt targeting the newly elected president and the minister happened as Prof Ongeri was delivering a message from President Kibaki to the new Somalia leader.

On Tuesday, the minister said the former president had also been a target of Al-Shabaab militants, who claimed responsibility for the attack.

He also denied claims that Kenya had taken sides in the Somali elections.

Prof Ongeri said there was no evidence that he talked about a former head of State and accused those behind the rumours of creating “a mountain out of a small thing”.

The minister reiterated the government’s support for the new Somali Government, saying Kenya was keen on the stability of her neighbour.

Nominated MP Mohammed Affey, who was in the minister’s entourage, said Prof Ongeri’s remarks were reckless.

Mr Ahmed has in the meantime accused Kenya of waging a war against him. Addressing a press conference in Mogadishu, he denied any involvement in the Mogadishu attack.