Kenya tightens security along Somali border

Kenya has tightened security along its common border with Somalia to prevent illegal entry into the country by Somali Islamic militants fleeing fighting between them and Ethiopia-backed government troops.

Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki on Tuesday convened an impromptu cabinet sub-committee meeting to discuss the situation in Somalia. It is believed that the meeting may result in the deployment of more troops in the common border with Somalia.

Kenyan Police Commissioner Hussein Ali has dispatched a high- powered security team to Lamu district to beef up security along maritime border points near Kiunga, believed to be easy entry point.

Somali government troops, backed with Ethiopian troops and armory, seized Kismayo, where fighters loyal to the Supreme Council of Islamic Courts (SCIC) and their leaders were believed to have sought a safe haven after fleeing from Mogadishu, which they ruled for six months.

Kenyan police on Monday arrested ten Somali nationals, suspected to be financiers of the SCIC at the border post of Liboi, northern region of the country.

Police sources said some of the suspects, who were crossing over into Kenya as Somali refugees, were found in possession of Canadian passports and also had huge amounts of foreign currency, which police believe could have been financing the SCIC fighters.

Police said the suspects were flown to the provincial town of Garissa, eastern Kenya, for further questioning.

Source: Xinhua