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Photos show soldiers guarding charcoal at Kismayu port, but KDF denies report

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NAIROBI—The Kenyan Defense Forces has denied reports that it’s soldiers were part of charcoal exporting sydicate at the port of Kismayu.

In a series of photos RTN Somali channel shared on their Twitter handle, poter could be seen standing next to what sacks of charcoal ready for export at the Kismayu port.

Since Saturday, Somalia’s online media have been reporting that the port which was liberated by the Kenya Defence Forces in 2012 has now fallen among illegal exporters of charcoal, targeting the estimated $40 million (Sh4 billion) business.

“The 20 boats of charcoal loaded today at the Port of Kismayo to Oman, Iran and UAE…shocking pillage and pilfering of Somalia’s natural resources,” Kenyan based RTN shared on its Twitter handle on Saturday.

KDF Spokesman Col David Obonyo told the Business Daily the Kenyan troops are not directly involved in guarding the port and therefore cannot be a part of the export cartel.

“I have seen the photos before and it looks like somebody is trying to dig up old things for local political gains. We can confirm that no Kenyan soldier is involved in it. KDF is not at Kismayuo Port. Our people are at the new Kismayo Airport where we provide security,” Col Obonyo said.

“KDF will have nothing to do with these photos. They could either be photoshoped or somebody is trying to bring up old photos.”

KDF has previously fought similar allegations contained in a UN report which accused its soldiers of aiding the illegal export of charcoal and smuggling of sugar.
Then as now, Kenya soldiers maintained they follow a strict code of conduct and international law in Somalia.

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