I felt proud to receive Bashir, says Balala

By David Ochami

Fresh details and contradictions within the Government over President Omar al Bashir emerged even as key ministers defended the controversial visit.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry and Sudanese embassy confirmed that Bashir met President Kibaki at State House, Nairobi before leaving Kenya at 2pm contrary to earlier reports that the Sudanese leader went to the airport straight from the meeting at Uhuru Park.

Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Najib Balala, who chaperoned Bashir on his tour, said on Sunday: "I felt proud to receive him."

"I was not told it was a secret when I was told to receive him the next day," he added.

Officials alleged no special security was accorded the wanted international crimes suspect.

And Sudanese embassy in Nairobi confirmed that Bashir’s 13-person entourage, including Head of Security Muhamed Atta al Moula and presidential adviser Mustafa Osman Ismail, was preceded by an advanced team of three on Thursday morning whose identities and positions Sumaya al Siddique, a spokesperson, could not disclose.

She said Bashir flew in a chartered plane and "received a guard of honour" at the airport and was relaxed without any worries that "Kenya would facilitate his arrest".

She, however, did not state if Sudan was assured of Bashir’s immunity and protection before coming.

It was not clear how Bashir landed in Kenya after Transport Minister Amos Kimunya denied reports the Sudanese leader was sneaked in through Wilson Airport in Nairobi.