Sugar and arms barons rule Somali border

An administration police officer inspects illegal sugar imports impounded by KRA officials at the Lunga Lunga border point in 2006. Investigations show illicit trade in the commodity continues in towns and trading centres along the Somalia border. Photo/FILE 

By SAMMY CHEBOI
Posted Saturday, May 29 2010 at 21:00

In Summary

• Officials pocket bribes as smuggling fuels insecurity and threatens local industry

A porous border with lawless Somalia and rough terrain continue to drive sugar and arms smuggling in northern Kenya, threatening to cripple the local sugar industry and increasing insecurity.

Although the illegal sugar imports were initially destined for major towns in North Eastern Province like Mandera, Wajir, Habaswein and Modogashe, the barons are now targeting even smaller centres.

Wajir has lately acquired the reputation as the hub of smugglers, thanks to its proximity to the Diif crossing point, dubbed “the Devil’s gateway” by local people.

A narrow panya route leads to the Devil’s paradise, 60 km away on the Kenya-Somalia border. The illegal trade, which also involves electronic goods, is a windfall for some local residents, business people and senior government officials....more