/ 7 July 1999

KENYA CLOSES SOMALIAN BORDER

KENYA has decided to close its border with Somalia, a move the government said is aimed at “taming” the further influx of Somali refugees and defeated militiamen. North Eastern Provincial Commissioner Maurice Makhanu said the decision also bars movement of people, vehicles and goods from Somalia. He explained in a statement on national radio Monday night that all entry points stretching over 300km between Dif in Wajir district and Lamu in Kenya’s coast province was officially closed. The administrator also confirmed that the Somali National Front, whose militia invaded Kenya last week and robbed military vehicles, hardware and uniforms, has failed to return a high frequency communication system. Kenya has beefed up security at all its border entry points. The security arrangements are aimed at stopping aggression by warring parties from Somalia, Ethiopia and Sudan.