Duale: We will face Al-Shabaab head-on

NAIROBI - Kenya's Defence Minister Aden Duale reiterates the commitment of the East African nation to crush Al-Shabaab militants, who have lately been encroaching into the country and waging coordinated attacks against security forces and innocent civilians along the border.

To ensure Kenyan soil remains safe, Duale maintained that the Kenya Defence Forces [KDF] and other security teams will increase surveillance along the border besides incorporating the local community as a strategy to activate sharing of intelligence with security officers.

According to the minister, violent extremists will not be allowed to thrive in the Republic of Kenya, adding that strategies have been put in place to prevent further loss of lives along the porous Kenya-Somalia, which the militants have been exploiting for over a decade.

"Militia shall not find a safe haven in Kenya once they are flushed out of Somalia. The Kenya Defence Forces and other security teams remain vigilant and steadfast to degrade the terrorist-related activities," Duale added.

KDF, he said, will be supported to acquire modern sophisticated weapons which can help detect Improvised Explosive Devices [IEDs] besides availing the military with more Armoured Personnel Carriers [APCs] and helicopters which would help the team decisively deal with Al-Shabaab militants.

In order to reduce the conflicts arising from the scramble for resources Duale commissioned the construction of a borehole at Gherille that shall be drilled by the KDF to supply clean water for the local community, Duale said as reported by The Star.

In recent weeks, Al-Shabaab militants have intensified attacks on Kenyan soil, forcing the government to temporarily stop reopening of Kenya-Somalia border, which had been scheduled to open in three phases. However, the government insists the plans will not be halted longer given the much-required easy movement of people.

Also, the KDF has established 14 Forward Operating Bases [FOBs] along the Kenya-Somalia border, which will assist the team to prevent further attacks in the country. The Al-Shabaab have been targeting Mandera, Wajir Garissa and Lamu counties in their cowardly attacks.

GAROWE ONLINE