The Kenyan government has refuted claims that it sent parking Mogadishu ambassador to Nairobi Mohamud Ahmed on Saturday amidst simmering wrangles between the two nations.
On Saturday, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Macharia Kamau appeared to suggest that the government had sent away Somalia ambassador over disputed Indian Ocean territory rich in gas and oil that Mogadishu had allegedly auctioned.
"This unparalleled affront and illegal grab at the resources of Kenya will not go unanswered and is tantamount to an act of aggression against the people of Kenya and their resources."
"This outrageous and provocative auction deserves and will be met with a unanimous and resounding rejection by all Kenyans as well as all people of goodwill who believe in the maintenance of international law and order and the peaceful and legal resolution of disputes," he said.
And the statement precipitated to a reaction from Somalia in which the war-torn country termed the move 'regrettable', adding that it will, however, remain a good neighbour to Kenya.
But on Sunday evening, Mr Kamau clarified that Kenya had opted to recall ambassador Lucas Tumbo for consultations, adding that the Somalia ambassador had also been asked to leave for consultations.
"For the record, we did not “recall” our Ambassador nor “expel” Somalia’s. We summoned ours for consultations and asked that theirs departs for consultations on their side so that we can resolve this matter with credible and correct information from both sides," he wrote on Twitter.
Earlier on Sunday, Somalia refuted claims that it had ordered Kenyans citizens to vacate under 168 hours, insisting that the press release circulating on social media was fake.
The two countries have been fighting over the control of Indian Ocean waters for over seven years now with the case still pending at ICC.