Kenyan military commander tours Al-Shabaab-prone regions

NAIROBI- A senior commander in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) visited several areas that are prone to Al-Shabaab attacks, in a trip geared towards reaffirming the commitment to eliminate the Somalia-based group from Kenya's territory.

Lt. General David Ketter, the new Commander of the Kenya Army, visited various Forward Operating Bases in Marsabit, Wajir, Mandera, and Garissa, where Kenya has been battling with violent extremists who have left several people dead.

The routine visits form part of the Headquarters Kenya Army's assessment of the ongoing border operations in the region, where KDF has various Bases strategically positioned to deter both external and internal threats, KDF said in a statement.

During the visit, Lieutenant General Ketter urged the troops to continue strengthening operations in the area to enhance security in the region. The number of FOBs in the region has increased due to the growing Al-Shabaab threat.

“We have witnessed illegal cross-border movements in the recent past, coupled with inter-communal conflicts in this region," Lt. General Ketter said during his address.

"You act as the buffer to these vices, and it is your responsibility to ensure our borders are safe from external aggression while ensuring peaceful co-existence among communities living within the border. We acknowledge your unrelenting efforts to restore and maintain peace to affirm the Republic of Kenya's territorial integrity,” Lt Gen Ketter added.

The visit is also a morale booster to the trooThe visit is also a morale booster to the troops, where Commander Kenya Army was able to address the soldiersps, where Commander Kenya Army was able to address the soldiers, getting first-hand feedback to help provide solutions to aid in their day-to-day operations and welfare, KDF added.

He was accompanied by senior officers, officers, and service members from Headquarters Kenya Army. This was his first trip to the region since taking over from Lt. Gen. David Tarus, who joined the National Defence University of Kenya as Vice Chancellor.

Northeastern Kenya is the bedrock of Al-Shabaab terror attacks, but there is a huge presence of KDF soldiers in Jubaland state, which acts as the buffer zone of Kenya in the fight against Al-Shabaab. The group uses improvised explosive devices to attack its targets.

GAROWE ONLINE