Kenya deploys more soldiers along Somalia border

NAIROBI - Kenya has deployed more soldiers along the common border with Somalia, with the country now stemming efforts to defeat Al-Shabaab militants, who have been encroaching northeastern region, killing several security officers in the process.

Sources from the Ministry of Defence say the soldiers will be stationed in 14 Forward Operating Bases [FOBs] along the border, with others expected to be withdrawn from Somalia in compliance with Somali Transition Plan [STP] that will affect peacekeepers.

Last week, Defence Minister Aden Duale visited most parts of Northeastern Kenya where he persuaded locals and members of security teams to work together with an aim of defeating Al-Shabaab. Previously, Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki had also visited the region.

Last month, Kindiki announced Kenya's last-minute decision to postpone re-opening of Kenya-Somalia border, which had been scheduled for opening in three phases. The minister linked the delay with increased Al-Shabaab activities within Kenyan soil.

Leaders from Mandera, Wajir, Garissa and Lamu have also vowed to support the government in the fight against Al-Shabaab, noting that such a move will in long run give confidence to locals. Addressing a joint meeting in Wajir last week, Lamu East MP Ruweida Obbo said the outlawed group has hurt the normal lives of residents.

“All roads are blocked by the security operation, meaning that people cannot move freely,” she said.

Present were the governorc of Mandera, Wajir and Garissa, local MPs as well as administration a nd security officials led by Northeastern regional commissioner John Otieno. The leaders resolved to combine political and security strategies to ensure residents do not harbour any sympathy for the outfit, The Star reports.

The leaders lamented that the group was recruiting youths from the region, asking security teams to devise ways of preventing Al-Shabaab from radicalizing locals. Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif had claimed Al-Shabaab's presence in his county is currently at 60 percent.

“The group has a field day in luring the despondent youth into its ranks or as sympathisers,” Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi said.

In coming months, the Kenya Defense Forces is expected to participate in the second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab which will mainly focus on Jubaland and Southwest states. Somalia had asked for assistance from members of KDF who are not part of African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] contingent.

GAROWE ONLINE