EDITORIAL
Fresh reports of the UN indicting Kenya for playing host to Somali rebels is worrying.
They lend credence to what is commonly talked about. There is evidence that Somali rebels have infiltrated the country and possibly, established mini-bases for their nefarious activities.
In January, for example, when a group of Muslims staged a day-long protest in the city over the deportation of controversial preacher Sheikh Abdullah Al-Faisal, Internal Security minister George Saitoti was quick to point out that some of the protesters were members of Al-Shabaab.
That was a tacit admission that the vicious militia had set foot in Kenya.
Similarly, a couple of months ago, a PS issued a directive for an audit of businesses associated with Somalis.
Although it appeared discriminatory, beneath it was the concern that some foreigners had penetrated the country with ill-gotten money.
True, Kenya has played host to Somali leaders and their followers. Negotiations for the transitional government took place here.
Somalis inhabit both Kenya and Somalia, making it difficult to distinguish who is who. Many have been given sanctuary due to the conflict in Somalia. At any rate, the Kenya-Somalia border is ever porous.
Kenya must take the UN report seriously and act. The presence of Somali rebels poses danger to citizens and risks Kenya being blacklisted by the international community for supporting terror groups.
Source: Daily Nation