Beyond the security risk that an unstable Somalia has posed to Kenya and the entire region, it has had devastating consequences to the regional economies. Obviously piracy has been the worst mess and lately kidnapping.

I have interacted with many influential NGO leaders in the UK with strong networks in Kenya and the region when kidnappings started happening in Lamu.

Apparently those incidents including the shooting of a Briton gave this country a bad Press, especially the major players.

One of the sectors that has been affected, although the State is countering the bad image, is the mercurial tourism that gave Kenya more than Sh73 billion in earnings last year.

Advisories affect this industry when travel is restricted and the tourists themselves take other routes.

Reports indicate Kenya was being portrayed as a country that is weak-kneed at safeguarding its interests and those of her partners, saying she had been continuously attacked by the terror groups in Somalia.

Kenya has been reluctant, over the years, to be involved in cooling off chaos in Somalia considering it shares the longest boundary with this country scarred by the unending mounted by these insurgents.

But looking at where Somalia has come from, keeping this safe distance would not go on forever.

Critically, it is impossible to have a sound sleep when a neighbour is continuously raising the alarm and crossing over into your compound.

Businesses suffering

Besides the refugee crisis, the mess in Somalia has had other loud and silent adverse effects on Kenya. The current campaign to halt the resurgence of Somali chaos should be a global responsibility.

The world is paying a huge price for ignoring Somalia for a long time. Kenya is just but one of the innocent bystanders.

It is in the world interest to check the Somalia mess once and for all. A lot is going to waste when this country remains a war zone.

Businesses are suffering, professionals are at risk, while the piecemael efforts always fail to make tell the whole picture.

For instance if Somalia's stability is restored there would be many commercial opportunities when the business community adds its markets to their lists.

Kenya cannot afford to keep quiet when critical industries like her own tourism and transport, particularly shipping, is threatened.

Mr Ikunda is a consultant and researcher working for a non-profit continental organisation.