Editor's Review

Ministry of Foreign Affairs has informed  all diplomatic missions, UN Agencies that the Kenya-Somalia airspace has been closed following the severance of diplomatic relations between the two countries

Kenya has informed all diplomatic missions of the closure of the Kenya-Somalia airspace.

In a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, May 31, 2021, Kenya informed diplomatic mission, United Nations Agencies and all non governmental organisations in Nairobi of the closure following the severence of Diplomatic ties between the two countries.

"The Ministry further wishes to inform diplomatic missions, UN agencies and international organizations that exemption has been given to humanitarian and medivac flights only. For humanitarian flights, the Ministry must be furnished with the list of passengers or goods to be transported to Somalia before clearance is issued," the statement read in part.

"The Ministry however, regrets to inform that it has noticed the misuse of humanitarian flights for bilateral and political matters contrary to the NOTAM and public notice to missions that the air communication between Kenya and Somalia had been stood down.

"The Ministry reiterates that the humanitarian flights must strictly be used for humanitarian purposes to avoid a declaration by the Government of Kenya on total lockdown on all flights," MFA warned.

Kenya maintained that the sanction on flights to Somalia will not in any way affect relatons with Diplomatic Missions, International Organisations and UN Agencies.