Police probe Kenyan politicians over Somalia visit

11 Kenyan lawmakers have been questioned by police after they returned from an un-sanctioned trip to Somalia over the weekend.

They met with Somalia’s president, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, to speak about the threat posed by the Islamist militant group, al-Shabaab. 

According to Security Secretary Muriithi Kangi, the trip did not receive prior approval from the government.

Acknowledging they did not have permission, the lawmakers said they went in a personal capacity.

Upon their arrival back in Nairobi they were held for “discussions with police”, but were later released without charge.

Most of them represent constituencies close to the border with Somalia, where al-Shabaab operates, causing schools to close and non-native civil servants to leave.

Photo: Evans Habil/Nation Media Group