Nairobi — The government says that it has sealed off its borders with Somalia following intensified fighting in the war-torn country.

Coast Provincial Commissioner Ernest Munyi says that the region's border was secure although there was still a challenge from the insurgency that is being blamed on rival armed groups, especially the rebel Islamic group Al-Shabab.

Mr Munyi also said that cross border trade between Kenya and Somalia either through the land or sea was being discouraged due to the escalating violence.

The PC who was speaking during a courtesy call by French ambassador to Kenya Ms Elisabeth Barbier noted that security agents were on high alert along the stretch none of the rival armed groups entered the country. Kiunga village, in Lamu is the Kenyan border to Somalia.

Accompanying Ms Barbier were crew from the French naval ship Gerninal which docked at the Mombasa port on anti-piracy mission. Its commander is CDR Najoufre Fransous.

Ms Barbier said that her government was interested in supporting the Somali government so as to bring to an end the conflict. "The European Union is looking forward to a lasting solution in Somali," she said.

At the same time, she said that her country was still monitoring the attacks on vessels by pirates patrolling the Somali waters, saying their response to deal with such incidents would be swift. France launched two operations last year to free French ships and crew seized by Somali pirates.

She however pledged to offer support to the government in dealing with the suspected pirates currently being held at Shimo la Tewa prison.

"We know that this is an extra burden for the country and there is need to offer material support, by providing equipment like computers for the judiciary and improving the living conditions in jail," she said.

In January this year, Indian Ocean and Red Sea countries pledged to cooperate and share operations, among them investigating and prosecuting the suspected pirates off the coast of war-ravaged Somalia in stepped up campaign to curb the scourge. Kenya is currently conducting the prosecutions.

Nine countries including Djibouti, Kenya, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Maldives, Tanzania, Seychelles, Somalia and Yemen signed the code with the UN that calls for shared operations such as nominating law enforcement or other authorized officials to embark in patrol of ships or aircraft of another signatory.

Commenting on the same issue, Mr Munyi noted that piracy incidents in Kenya had reduced, adding that although not directly affected, the attack on vessels was an economic disadvantage due to the loss of income generated from the handling charges on the vessels.