Kenya completes weapons search on seized Norwegian ship

Kenyan authorities on Thursday completed search of weapons and drugs on a Norwegian ship detained at the port of Mombasa.

Lead police investigator John Kariuki told Xinhua in Mombasa that the verification process at the port ended after successful recovery of assorted weapons on board the Norwegian vessel, MV Hoegh Transporter.

The vessel, carried UN vehicles from Mumbai, India destined for the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, was seized on Sept. 17 when assorted weapons stashed in tyres of vehicles were found.

Kariuki said the weapons have been handed over to the relevant authorities for further ballistic investigation to establish the origin and the owner of the cargo.

"We have completed the operation, but the ship and crew members are still detained at the port of Mombasa," Kariuki said.

His remarks come after the UN protested that Kenyan authorities inspected the cargo without a UN presence, which is contrary to established protocol and provisions surrounding privileges and immunities.

A statement from the Office of the spokesman of the UN Secretary-General issued in Nairobi said the weapons found in the shipment by the Kenyan authorities were part of a "legitimate and declared Contingent Owner Equipment cargo packed in Mumbai, India with destination the Indian Battalion of MONUSCO, DR Congo."

"The weapons were declared in the bill of lading, but not in the manifest. It is normal practice for weapons attached to the APCs to be dismantled and placed inside the carriers in order to avoid damage whilst being shipped," said the statement.

It said the list with the weapons was provided by the Indian authorities after the vessel sailed from Mumbai.

"A request was sent by the UN contractor responsible for the shipment to the Mombasa ship agent to amend the manifest, but since this was not possible, a declaration of the weapons accompanying the military vehicles was attached," it said.

According to the statement, the UN has cooperated fully with the Kenyan authorities and has communicated the above through Note Verbale (protest letter) to the Kenyan ministry of foreign affairs.

"We are also aware of the disturbing allegations that drugs were also found on the vessel. This is being currently investigated by the responsible authorities," said the statement.

Coastal Regional Police Commander Francis Wanjohi said the government was not aware of the firearms since they were not declared in the manifest. Wanjohi said they are treating the incident as breach to state security. Endit