Mandera residents want KDF out of Somalia

Mandera East residents through their MP Omar Mohamed, have drafted a petition calling for the withdrawal of KDF from Somalia. (Courtesy)

MANDERA—Mandera East residents through their MP Omar Mohamed, have drafted a petition to the National Assembly to push for the withdrawal of KDF from Somalia.

They are calling for the withdrawal over increased attacks on Kenyans along the border. The petition is to be tabled in the House this week.

“The committee should carry out comprehensive investigations on the adverse effects occasioned by the protracted Al Shabaab and other terrorist attacks on the communities residing along Kenya’s border with Somalia,” the petition reads.

They are urging the House Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations, chaired by Kajiado South MP Katoo ole Metito, to recommend the withdrawal and to ensure they are redeployed along the Kenya-Somalia border, where they will be able deter and defend against any possible attack.

KDF troops entered Somalia under the aegis of “Operation Linda Nchi” on October 14, 2011 in pursuit of Al Shabaab terrorists who had been entering Kenya at will to abduct and kill aid workers and tourists in North Eastern and Coast.

“While acknowledging the initial intention of the government in deploying the Kenya Defence Forces to Somalia was in the interest of peace, the ripple effect is escalating attacks on our citizens,” the petition says.

“The number of terror attacks have therefore continued to increase, and it is time that Kenya withdraws her troops from Somalia and deploys them along the border to protect Kenyans,” adds the petition.

The Petition comes even as the government maintains that Kenya’s full objective is yet to be met in Somalia, with President Kenyatta on Saturday urging for support for Kenya’s men and women in uniform.

According to the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2372 (2017), Kenyan troops will leave Somalia in December 2020 after mentoring Somali security forces to take over control from Amisom.

Last year, Kenya withdrew 200 troops from Amisom and another 200 are set to return by December.

The residents also want the government amnesty be extended to all Kenyan returnees who have abandoned the Somalia based Al Shabaab terror organisation.