Kenyan military chief visits border town amid tensions with Somalia

MANDERA, Kenya - A top Kenya Defense Forces [KDF] visited troops stationed in different Forward Operating Bases [FOBs] in Northern Frontier Districts [NFDs] amid rising tensions between Kenya and Somalia, which are now escalating to different levels. 

Maj General Albert Kendagor, who is the Deputy Army Commander, visited the troops on Friday, in a trip that comes amid deteriorating diplomatic ties with Kenya, in which Mandera could be used as a testing point between the two sovereign nations. 

Kendagor, who was elevated to the rank early this year, visited various Forward Operating Bases [FOBs], and commended the troops for their efforts in defending and protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Kenya and especially against Al-Shabaab. 

The visit also boosted the troops morale. The Deputy Commander visited Mandera, Omar Jillo, Damasa and Elwak FOBs, KDF said in a statement. This was his first field trip to the northeastern region of Kenya which is prone to Al-shabaab attacks. 

But his trip came a day after reports emerged that Somalia, which had cut ties ranks with Kenya over "interference with our internal affairs", is said to have deployed troops to Mandera and neighboring towns. The Somali National Army [SNA] troops were seen in Baled-Hawo and other border towns. 

In a statement on Saturday, Somalia also claimed that it has learned that "Kenyan forces have deployed weapons and militias in Mandera to raid Belet Xaawo and the Somali National Army bases in the area". This claim could not be independently substantiated. 

"The Federal Government of Somalia warns the Kenyan government of its actions that undermine the overall security of the Horn of Africa region, and reiterates its reconsideration of Kenya's blatant interference in Somalia's internal affairs that could lead to instability.  State security," the tough worded statement read. 

The claims and counter claims come amid ongoing summit in Djibouti, where IGAD could be discussing the raising tensions between the two nations. Somalia had raised complaints but it's not clear if President Uhuru Kenyatta will be visiting Djibouti for the summit.

"The Federal Government of Somalia shall take all necessary steps to ensure its political independence, territorial integrity and the protection of the dignity and honor of the people of the Federal Republic of Somalia," Somalia added in a statement.

Kenya is a key stakeholder in the efforts to stabilize Somalia and has close to 3,500 troops who are stationed in Jubaland, a state which is constantly at loggerheads with the Federal Government of Somalia. The KDF team is credited for crushing Al-shabaab in the country. 

GAROWE ONLINE