Mr Salih was to hold talks with Energy minister Kiraitu Murungi to conclude a deal that could have seen Kenya start importing oil at a cheaper rate from Africa’s biggest country.
Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Moses Wetang’ula, was in Sudan last month to follow up the deal and announced on his return that Mr Salih would finalize the deal in Nairobi.

During Mr Wetang’ula’s visit, Sudan agreed to give Kenya land to put up its embassy. He also presented a special message to President al- Bashir from President Kibaki. Sudan signed a fuel supply memorandum with Kenya last month.

President al-Bashir was said to have directed his government officials to give Kenya fuel. His energy ministry had also put Kenya’s oil requirement on its plans for next year.

Sources indicate that Mr Salih put off the visit due to saga of the hijacked, which is said to be carrying more than 30 tanks and ammunition whose destination is controversial. It was seized by pirates off the Somali coast on September 26.

Kenya insists the shipload belongs to it, but Lt Nathan Christensen of the US Navy said it is for a Southern Sudanese buyer.

East Africa Seafarers Association program coordinator, Andrew Mwangura, was the first to say the arms were bound for Southern Sudan. He was arrested and charged with publishing a false statement.

Lt Nathan Christensen, of the US Navy’s 5th Fleet in Bahrain, on September 29 was quoted by the Associated Press to have said the arms were heading to an unknown buyer in Sudan. However, Kenya’s military spokesman, Bogita Ongeri, dismisses the claim saying the arms were Kenya’s.

Kenyan government released two documents, a bill of lading and a letter from the Ukrainian exporter, to prove it had bought the cargo on the hijacked ship. The Press counselor at the Sudanese embassy in Nairobi, Ms Somaya Abdel Sadig on September 30 said arms do not belong to Southern Sudan.

It was on September 30 that the Press counselor at the Sudanese embassy in Nairobi, Ms Somaya Abdel Sadig said arms do not belong to Southern Sudan.

Three pirates are reported dead after a shoot-out in the ship. Two groups of the pirates had argued over what to do with the deadly arsenal.

On October first it emerges that purchase of arms by Southern Sudan is in violation of a United Nations embargo on arms sales. The next day, the European Union vows to launch a quick military strike against pirates.