12 June 2011
Nairobi — Dozens of Kenyans are trooping to Somalia in search of jobs and business opportunities.
Perceived as a deadly destination by the international community, the war-torn Horn of Africa nation of just about 10 million people is fast turning into the next land of opportunity for Kenyans.
“If Kenya can reopen its embassy in Mogadishu, Kenyans will benefit immensely from the many opportunities waiting to be tapped here,” says former Fafi MP Elias Barre Shill, recently appointed Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s advisor on Somalia affairs.
He said air traffic between Nairobi and Mogadishu has increased nearly ten-fold in the last year as the security situation improves after two decades of civil war.
“You can no longer find seats on the Africa Express and Juba Airline flights to Mogadishu as they are normally fully booked,” he said.
Since the outbreak of the civil war in Somalia two decades ago, the Kenya embassy in Mogadishu has been shut and the ambassador, Mr James Mulinge operates from Nairobi.
“We have many Kenyans who shuttle between Nairobi and Mogadishu daily,” says former Lagdera MP Mohammed Shidiye.
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