[allAfrica.com] [AED_Fundraising_Gala_Dinner_2004] Warlords Who Call Nairobi 'Home' The East African Standard (Nairobi) ANALYSIS October 16, 2004 Posted to the web October 18, 2004 By Francis Openda And Cyrus Ombati Nairobi Welcome to Nairobi, the city many warlords call "home". Many men of arms have found a safe haven in the city, away from the death and turmoil of the lands they fight to liberate. Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement/Army (SPLA/SPLM) chairman, General John Garang, his deputy Salfa Kirr and top commander Riek Machar; Somali's General Mohammed Hersi Morgan, Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, warlord Hussein Farah Aideed, warlord Mohammed Qanyare Afrah and Abdilahi Ahmed Adow are just a few of the many visitors who have set up base in Kenya. Ahmed Adow are just a few of the many visitors who have set up base in Kenya. Nairobi's hospitality to rebel leaders goes back many years. Rwandese President Paul Kagame, Uganda's Yoweri Museveni and Mozambican rebel Alfonso Dhalakama have all lived in Nairobi at one time or another. Intelligence sources say even Joseph Kony, a pain in President Museveni's neck, secretly slips into the country and back into Northern Uganda, where he is leading a bloody rebellion. Dhalakama led a quiet life in the city and few knew of his presence, while Alice Lakwena, an eccentric mystic who led a rag tag guerrilla army of believers against Museveni, lived for long in Kangemi before she was moved to Kakuma refugee camp where she still resides. Some of the warlords lead a millionaire lifestyle in five-star hotels and posh homes in the leafy suburbs, from the serenity of which they monitor - and direct - the bloody goings-on in their countries. Because of rivalries and the nature of their "occupations", security is of paramount importance. Most move around the city accompanied by several heavily armed bodyguards. Warlords are a virtual growth sector, they are wallowing in money and are known to be generous to supporters and, when need arises, to buy the allegiance of those in rival camps. Accommodating Nairobi hotels do brisk business from the rebels and the delegations paying homage to them. But what attracts the rebels and warlords to Kenya and Nairobi especially? To begin with, Nairobi has a good communication network, allowing the warlords to run their armies. And the fact that most of their fellow citizens fleeing the war settled in Kenya, coupled with Nairobi's proximity to their countries which makes it easy for them to 'walk in and out', has added to the city's attractiveness. Kenyans are also perceived to be accommodating. "For logistics, Kenya, and especially Nairobi, is very ideal for the operations of most rebel leaders and warlords," said a senior Government security official, who did not wish to be named. The stable and open Kenyan economy also attracts warlords and their lieutenants because they are able to invest and make money. The presence of the United Nations headquarters and various international organisations, among them international media organisations, has helped to make Nairobi the choice destination for these warlords craving attention. The SPLM set up base in Nairobi long before the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development started spearheading talks to bring peace in the war-torn Sudan. The rebels were previously based in Addis Ababa between 1983 and 1991 during the reign of former President Mengistu Haille Mariam. Destination of choice When Mengistu's government was toppled by Meles Zenawi, SPLM/A was kicked out of Ethiopia for its association with the former regime. After 1991, SPLM/ A warmed up to the Ugandan authorities and relocated offices to Kampala. It also continued to maintain satellite offices in Southern Sudan, Cairo, and Eritrea. With the initiation of the Igad brokered peace process in which Kenya was the mediator, SPLM/A moved its offices to Nairobi and this saw the influx of more of its top command into the city. The security official said the Kenya Government has over the years been tolerant of the SPLM/A and its cause, a factor that has made Nairobi the destination of choice for its top commanders. The source of the warlord's great wealth is a fascinating mystery. Most claim to be funded by friends of their countries. But knowledgeable government officials said most of the money comes from individuals, organisations and even countries eyeing future business opportunities in the war-torn countries. "In the case of Southern Sudan, the country is quite endowed with resources and those funding the rebel leaders and the cause of Southern Sudan definitely have their eyes set on the future," he said. It is also believed that some of the warlords own property and run businesses in Nairobi and other towns. Garang and other top SPLM/A leaders are believed to own rental houses in Nairobi. Garang is also said to own a farm in Zimbabwe where his children go to school. The Somalia warlords have heavily invested in the import-export business, real estate and transport. Some of them also own many of the mobile phone shops in Nairobi's Eastleigh area. But a large part of their funding, however, is believed to come from business people. The handouts are believed to mainly come from international companies but, as in the case of Somalia, Kenyan businessmen with interests in construction, glass manufacturing and the automobile business have joined in. Security The warlords prefer the suburbs of Runda, Kileleshwa, Karen and Lavington. However, there are those who live in South C and B and Eastleigh. The Government has discreetly extended security to some of the warlords, who are guarded by the General Service Unit. Security officials said foreign rebel leaders do not pose a security threat because they are carefully monitored. When they enter the country, they are asked to declare all arms in their possession. Police spokesman Jasper Ombati said provision of security to Kenyans or anyone in the country is the work of the Kenya Police and not foreigners. "We are there to provide security wherever the leaders stay. They are scattered all over the city. Internal affairs are handled by the Igad and we only come in to handle criminal and other issues when we are called upon," he said. However, Officers Commanding Police Divisions (OCPDs) in whose areas the warlords live are briefed daily on their welfare. While it was an open secret that some top Government officials in former President Moi's government were paid protection money by Rwandan genocide fugitive Felicien Kabuga, it is also rumoured that other rebel leaders and warlords routinely pay for their protection by government officials. But the rebels operate on a short leash: Their movements are carefully monitored and whenever they want to leave the country, they must first inform the Office of the President. Kenyan authorities are also confident that the warlords have too much to lose to cause trouble here. Some warlords have homes in Mombasa and Eldoret where they have invested in real estate. Some, such as Aideed, have inherited homes in Kenya from their parents. According to Aideed, living in the country as a warlord is safer than going back to volatile Somalia. "Here we are safer though would like to go back as soon as possible. All I can tell the president elect is that he should brace himself for tougher times in trying to reconstruct the government," he added. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs could not be reached to state the Government's policy on hosting warlords. Gen Morgan's aides denied us a chance to interview him, saying he was tired in his room. "Tired, tired, tired. Come Monday and try if you can see him. He is sleeping now," said a man on the phone.   =============================================================================  Copyright © 2004 The East African Standard. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). =============================================================================