Writes Leo Odera Omolo.

EAST African Countries have adopted conflicting positions on the developments in Libya with some still reluctant an refusing to recognize the ruling National Transitional Council [NTC}.

While Kenya and Tanzania have declined to recognize the Transitional Council, Rwanda has given it full support.

In Kenya where the regime of the ousted Col Muamor El-Gadhafi has massive investment in hotels, oil already retailing firm, opinion seems divided over whether to recognize the NTC or not.

Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Mwangi Thuita was last week quoted as arguing that the NTC by its name is transitional, and as a matter of policy Kenyan does not recognize regime but states.

But the immediate former Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Prof. George Saitoti recently stated that Kenya was willing to work with the NTC to stabilize the North African country.

Earlier Prime Minister Raila Odinga had urged the deposed Libyan leader Muamor Gadhafi to surrender power unconditionally..

Libya owns a good number of businesses worth billions of dollar in Kenya, including petroleum company Oilibya and the prestigious Laico Regency Hotel.

It is not only Kenya in a delaying but also neighboring Uganda, where Gadhafi invested heavily including building a chain of modern Muslim Mosques all over the country.

The Libya Arab Foreign Investment Company own a 49 per cent stake in the Uganda National Housing and construction Company, 69 per cent in Uganda Teleco Ltd and 99 per cent in Tropical Bank.

S far, Kampala has taken no position on Libya, though prior to the revolt in that country which began in February this year diplomatic relations between Gadhafi and President Yoweri Museveni had gone sour. This followed complaint rose by Ugandan government that Libya was encouraging traditional monarchs and traditional rulers as opposed the Uganda national policy. Gadhafi had even made an attempt of calling for a meeting of the traditional rulers from all over Africa for a meeting in Kampala without prior knowledge of the government.

Tanzania on its part has followed the African Union script, with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Coopertion Benard Membe maintaining that Tanzania would recognize the group only once it formally formed a government.

Rwanda has, however, pledged unequivocal support for the NTC with Prime Minister Benard Makoza calling for the establishment of an exclusive and democratic government in Libya.It has also urged AU to play a much more proactive role in a democratic and peaceful transition in Libya.

It has been all quiet on the sides of the Burundi another member of the East African Community.

Ends