UN Weapons Seized By Kenya 'Not Illegal'

The UN has denied that weapons found on a cargo ship seized by Kenyan authorities at the port of Mombasa were being transported illegally.

It says they were part of a legitimate consignment for its peace mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.


Both Kenyan authorities and the ship's Norwegian owners have said that the weapons were not declared.

The UN is awaiting the outcome of drugs tests by Kenyan police on a substance found around some of the vehicles.

It has also criticised Kenyan authorities for breaking protocol by inspecting the ship's cargo in their absence.

The ship is still being held in port, a week after elite Kenyan police units launched a surprise midnight raid on the vessel.

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime has on several occasions cited Kenya as a transit point for the re-packaging and trans-shipment of drugs to Europe and America.