Kenyans Fear Destabilizing effect of Mombassa “Pirate Trials”

According to a piece in the French press, “La stabilite du Kenya menacee par les pirates somaliens” (Pierre Prier, Le Figaro, Jan 5, 2010) many Kenyans fear the country’s recent agreement with the EU and US to try suspected Somali pirates in Mombassa courts may be dragging the country farther into the Somali conflict than it had bargained.  At stake, increasing linkages between Somali extremists, pirates and local Islamist groups, and the potential for future Somali reprisals and/or attempts to rescue Somali prisoners held in Kenyan coastal jails.  The author notes also that ‘pirate money’ has caused major disruptions to the Kenyan economy, as ill-gotten gains fuel local housing price spikes of greater than 40%.  -EDC