Kenya has recalled its ambassador in Mogadishu and ordered Somali envoy out of the country over alleged auctioning of oil and gas blocks in Kenya’s maritime territorial area that borders Somalia.
The auction took place in London, United Kingdom, last week, Foreign Affairs PS Macharia Kamau said Saturday.
Lieutenant-General (Rtd) Lucas Tumbo was summoned back to Nairobi for urgent consultations.
“This unparalleled affront and illegal grab at the resources of Kenya will not go unanswered and is tantamount to an act of aggression against the people of Kenya and their resources.
“This outrageous and provocative auction deserves and will be met with a unanimous and resounding rejection by all Kenyans as well as all people of goodwill who believe in the maintenance of international law and order and the peaceful and legal resolution of disputes,” the PS Kamau said.
In retaliation a somalia Lead-Anti-khat campaigner Abukar Awale QAADIID has called on the citizens of somalia to ban Khat products from Kenya.
In a post on social media Abukar said “To respond to Kenya’s disproportionate behaviour by cutting all services including flights from Somalia to Kenya, penalising Somali citizens and their daily services; Somalia should respond robustly in kind by stopping all Khat importation into Somalia from Kenya.”
More than 15 cargo flights full of khat arrive in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, every day from Kenya. According to Somali anti-khat campaigner Abukar Awale, they bring in about 12,000 bags of khat a day, which have a total retail value of $400,000 (£298,000).
Mr Awale, a former khat addict, argues that the stimulant contributes to domestic violence and other abuses.
Khat is popular in Somalia but it is grown in Ethiopia and Kenya.
Hundreds of Kenyans, including farmers, could be affected by the decision.
The Kenyan government has in the past pledged to support the growers of khat, which is also known as miraa in Kenya, after it was banned in much of Europe.
Khat is also banned in a number of other countries, including the US and Canada.