Kenyan military chief makes an unannounced trip to Somalia

KISMAYO, Somalia - For the first time in as many years, Kenya's Chief of Defense Forces General Samson Mwathethe visited Somalia, a country struggling with instability and Al-Shabaab threat.

During the Saturday's trip, General Mwathethe lauded KDF troops serving on AMISOM for their continuous successes in pacifying areas of responsibility and ensuring peace in Somalia.

Mwathethe, who is at his final months as KDF boss, visited Kuday Forward Operating Base in Badhadhe district, Lower Juba, where he conveyed greetings for the festive season.

Lower Juba has been one of the regions worst hit by Al-Shabaab militants in recent months, despite AMISOM efforts to thwart and defeat the insurgents.

“I have come here today to bring Christmas and New Year greetings, first from our Commander-In-Chief, His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta and also from KDF fraternity at home," he said, lauding troops for progress in the war.

The government, Mwathethe said, will continue supporting KDF troops in Somalia an executing their roles and mandate in troubled Somalia.

“Even when you are here, we want you to know that we are thinking of you, we can never forget you. We wish you well and success in the execution of your mandate in Somalia,” he noted.

Turning to the significance of having KDF soldiers in AMISOM, General Mwathethe told the soldiers that peace in Somalia translated to peace in Kenya.

“We are in Somalia because we know that if Somalia is free of Al Shabaab and terrorism, Kenya will also be free of the scourge," he said.

The KDF general added: "We must, therefore, ensure that we destroy the enemy here, to guarantee the destruction of the enemy at home. Our actions and successes here will safeguard a Kenya."

For KDF soldiers to execute their mandate in AMISOM, Gen Mwathethe appreciated that the soldiers were well equipped for the task.

“I am happy that we have been able to provide the best equipment for the task that we have been mandated to undertake in this mission," the KDF boss said.

"We have, over time, appreciated your various needs and I am confident that with the defenses that we have, with the weapons that we have and with the courage of the soldier that we have, I have no doubt that we shall execute our tasks successfully,” he added.

Noting that the presence of KDF soldiers in Kuday had changed the lives of the local population, the CDF urged the troops to continue offering a helping hand to ensure that the lives of locals continuously improved.

“I am thankful that you continue to have good relations with the local population. I know they thank God for your presence here, This is commendable,” Mwathethe added.

Earlier, Commander Kenya Navy, Maj Gen Levi Mghalu, while addressing the troops, commended them for keeping the Kenyan flag flying high through their valor and for the sacrifices they have made, even beyond the call of duty.

“I commend you for the very good work that you are doing here. Kenya Navy will continue to assist you, to the best of our capability," Mghalu said.

Accompanying Mwathethe were General Officer Commanding Eastern Command, Maj Gen Ayub Matiiri, Director of Military Intelligence Maj Gen Said Farah, Sector Commander.

Others were AMISOM Sector 2, Brigadier Dickson Ruto, Sector Commander, AMISOM Sector 6, Brigadier Juma Mwinyikai, Chief of Operations Headquarter Kenya Army, Brigadier William Shume, among other Senior Officers.

Kenya has deployed over 2,600 troops for peacekeeping mission in Somalia. Since 2012, Kenya has been playing an integral role in fostering peace in Somalia.

Despite suffering setbacks in El Adde army base and Kulbiyow, the KDF troops have managed to liberate strategic towns like Kismayo and Dhobley.

GAROWE ONLINE