The Bashir Debacle.

Bashir at the Promulgation in Uhuru Park.

In yesterday's Sunday Nation, someone wrote an article on the Bashir's escapade and why its in Kenya's interest to keep the man around. I had been one of the most angry people on seeing Bashir at Uhuru Park on Friday. But that article in yesterday's Nation, tanked me out and changed my opinion.

Bashir is indicted by ICC for genocide and crimes against humanity meted out on the hapless Darfur region inhabitants. This wasn't done by himself but by the guerrillas he supported for this mission since the Darfuris are against anything that Bashir and his Khartoum gvt stands for.

Bashir is president of Sudan and Southern Sudan and is deputised by Slava Kiir who is the president of Southern Sudan[GOSS].

Next year, South Sudan will go to a referendum so as to decide if they will wnat to remain part of greater Sudan or to be autonomous. Its a foregone conlusion that South Sudan will be the newest country in Africa. And this is where Bashir's safety is tagged.

The gist of the article is that; by arresting Bashir, the referendum will not be safe and fair meaning that Kenyan's interest therein will be at risk. The Kenyans who are in South Sudan for business opportunities are simply mind boggling and if a referendum isn't conducted peacefully, so much will be at risk. It now then, becomes important for Kenya to ensure that Bashir is not arrested so that South Sudan is safe and joins the EAC. This will also ensure that economically, it will depend on Kenya for oil export be it through Lamu or Mombasa. Do not forget that a refinery is in the works either at Lamu or at Lokichigio for oil from Uganda or better still S.Sudan.

Therefore, it becomes very imperative for Kenya to keep Bashir safe in the interest of the greater region, politically and economically.

After the referendum is done away with in South Sudan, they can then intercept him in air while to any Arab Summit in the region. At least, he will have served his purpose as far as Kenya is concerned.