Cut out the sugar smuggling

Reports that proceeds from sugar smuggled into Kenya from Somalia could be an important source of funds for the Al Shabaab terror group, which controls much of lawless Somalia, is a grave indictment of Kenya’s security agencies. That the militant gang feeds on illegal proceeds from smuggled electronics, fake designer clothes, rice, pasta and maize sold to Kenyans is sobering indeed. The recent seizure of 200 bags of sugar in Wajir is chilling testimony to this trade. The sugar, imported from Dubai, Pakistan and Brazil, finds its way into Kenya on donkeys, trucks and four-wheel drive vehicles. As reported elsewhere in this newspaper, the smuggling of goods and transfer of proceeds to the militia group is carried out with the full knowledge, if not complicity, of Kenya’s security agencies and Customs officials. This is not only immoral but also against international law. Nobody should be allowed to exploit lawlessness in Somalia for financial enrichment. Support of a murderous gang, which is responsible for the death and displacement of thousands of Somalis — on top of frequent raids on Kenya —undermines efforts to restore peace in the Horn of Africa. The proliferation of smuggled sugar in the country denies us revenue in the form of tax and risks killing the local sugar industry, which is the lifeline of millions of families. We ask the Government to increase vigilance at the border, and investigate and prosecute officers behind the racket. The eastern African region will never be at ease, until Somalia is stable...more..http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/Editorial/-/440804/559204/-/q30jpdz/-/index.html