Kenya’s government has recalled her ambassador to Somalia in the first clear sign of an escalating diplomatic row.
Kenya is accusing Somalia of auctioning off oil and gas deposits from a site that it claims is in Kenyan territorial waters.
The government is also accusing Somalia of being an unfair neighbor despite all the goodwill Kenya has shown to Somali people even as it faces the threat of terror which it says is bred within Somali territory.
This impatience is manifest in Somalia’s unilateral decision to auction oil blocks on the disputed Island in London last week.
Many Kenyans have lauded the move, especially in the midst of other border rows with other ‘bully’ countries -Uganda on Migingo island and Tanzania auctioning Kenyans’ cattle.
For the Somalia case, Kenya has arguably been a good neighbor.
For instance, President Kenyatta has gone out of his way to ensure a semblance of order returns to Somalia by not just organizing, but also leading regional peace initiatives.
Kenya stood firm against calls to recall KDF from Somalia where the cost of maintenance is gargantuan. This stems from the realization that a stable Somalia is good for every country in the horn of African region.
In addition, Kenya hosts over half a million Somali refugees and many refugees who voluntarily returned say they are in a far worse position than they had been in the Daadab refugee camp, with no access to food, shelter or medicine.
And with them losing their legal refugee status, they are no longer entitled to donor or UNHCR help.
Moreover, many Somalis have set their business in Kenya, especially Eastleigh Nairobi.
While there is need for an amicable resolution to the dispute, it should not be lost on Somalia authorities that there is more to be gained by standing together than by creating weak links that our common enemies could exploit to weaken us and cause despondency, as noted by The Standard.
The row is bound to have adverse impact on security, trade, free movement of people.
The Somalia government has surely just stabbed a worthy, helpful neighbour in the back, by putting a wedge between Somalia and Kenya.