First batch of Kenyan troops return from Somalia mission
The first batch of Kenya Defence Force (KDF) troops, who have been in Somalia under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), arrived home today.
"The first batch of Kenya Defence Force (KDF) troops, who have been in Somalia under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), arrived home today as part of the drawdown to gradually hand over security responsibility to Somalia Security Forces.
General Officer Commanding Eastern Command, Major General Juma Mwinyikayi, received them at Embakasi Garrison.
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Major General Juma Mwinyikayi lauded the officers for their dedication and upholding a high degree of professionalism during their peace and security mission in Somalia.
"We are proud of you for completing your mission, and may you continue to display a high level of discipline as you resume your duties in various deployments," KDF's social media platform quoted Maj Gen Mwinyikayi.
He announced that the troops will undergo routine post-deployment procedures for a swift transition back to their day-to-day activities.
During the reception of the troops, Maj Gen Mwinyikayi was accompanied by senior officers, officers, and service members.
Kenya launched Operation Linda Nchi and entered into Somalia on the 14th of October 2011 due to security challenges posed by the Al-Shabaab Militants. After a series of border attacks and incursions by the militia group along the Kenyan-Somalia border, abductions of aid workers in the Dadaab refugee camp, and a French tourist in Lamu were incidents that occurred before Kenya invoked Article 51 of the UN Charter to secure the right of self-defense.
Under AMISOM, the Kenya Defence Force conducted assaults against Al-Shabaab, securing several towns in Lower Juba that border Kenya. Among the historic achievements made by KDF was a complex operation codenamed "Operation Sledge Hammer" that led to the capture of Kismayu city in September 2012.
In October 2023, Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, while responding to a senator's question on the floor of the House, said KDF's exit from Somalia was underway and was being done in four phases."
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