Kenyan authorities impound WFP trucks, fear supplies could fall into militant hands
Kenyan authorities are holding three trucks that were ferrying food on behalf of the World Food Programme (WFP) to Somalia, with suspicions that the supplies could be heading to Islamist militants in the Horn of Africa, Reuters news agency reports.
The WFP however said the trucks had all the required paperwork from the Kenyan authorities, and that the UN agency carefully monitors its shipments to make sure they reach their intended recipients.
Somalia-based terrorist group al-Shabaab has launched frequent attacks in the neighbouring Kenya since late 2011 when Nairobi sent soldiers across the border to fight the militants.
Mohamud Saleh, regional coordinator or the top government official in the North Eastern region, said the vehicles were held on Monday in Mandera county along the border, awaiting reassurances from WFP Somalia that the food aid would not fall into the hands of the militants.
“We were a bit suspicious about where this food was going, because the last time we got information they took food across, the food was taken over by the terrorists, al Shabaab,” he told Reuters by phone.
“The food was meant for the most vulnerable in Somalia, those affected by drought, but I’m told it went into the hands of al Shabaab. We are a bit concerned.”
Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced by more than two decades of conflict in Somalia, and more were forced out of their homes by a 2011 famine. Basic public services are lacking and there is limited access for humanitarian aid.
Challiss McDonough, senior regional spokeswoman for the WFP in Nairobi, said they were working with Kenyan officials to resolve the “unfortunate misunderstanding”.
