Biden in Kenya for Somalia, Sudan

As ethnic violence flares in east Africa, US Vice President Joe Biden has arrived in Kenya for talks about the situation in Somalia and Sudan.

The US official was welcomed at the Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta Airport by his Kenyan counterpart Kalonzo Musyoka on Tuesday, a Press TV correspondent reported.

Biden is scheduled to meet Kenyan coalition partners President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga today.

Kenya is Washington’s chief ally in the east African region.

“In addition to discussing a range of bilateral issues, the vice president will address our shared interests in peace and stability in the region, particularly in Sudan and Somalia,” a White House statement said.

The visit comes as large swathes of Somalia is now under control of al-Shabab fighters who have been locked in more intense battles against the government troops in recent months.

Biden’s first stop was Egypt, where he held talks with senior officials about the blockade of the Gaza Strip following Israel’s bloody attack on an aid convoy bound for the besieged enclave that left 20 human rights activists dead and 50 others wounded.

His last stop is South Africa where he is due to arrive on Wednesday.