House team urges Kenyans to support KDF mission in recovering Somalia

The Parliamentary Committee for Defence and Foreign Relations has called on Kenyans to rally behind the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) efforts to securing the country.

The committee’s chairman Ndung’u Gethenji said this will motivate the troops and ensure peace prevails in Kenya and across Africa. Speaking to The Standard on Sunday from Kismayu in Somalia, the Tetu MP commended the KDF troops for a sterling job that has brought peace in the conflict-prone region. “We came to Kismayu on a fact-finding mission and also visit our troops as a way of marking the World Anti-Terrorism Day (which was observed yesterday),” Gethenji said.

He said the committee members are satisfied with KDF’s work and dismissed information that the troops are involved in illegal charcoal business. “We have visited the port of Kismayu and paid a courtesy call to Jubaland’s President Sheikh Ahmed Madobe. Life is returning to normal as people are now engaged in economic activities,” he said.

He added: “We have looked for any opportunity to establish whether our troops engage in charcoal business but we have found none. I call upon Kenyans to support them because they risk their lives to protect us.”

He noted that President Madobe supports repatriation of refugees from Kenya back to their home countries.

Kitutu Chache South MP Richard Onyonka, a member of the committee said: “Madobe said he is happy with our troops’ work. We have also established that our troops carry out joint operations with their counterparts and relate well with the community here. This is good for the security of our country.” Onyonka said.

He urged Kenyans to take advantage of the peace in Jubaland and invest in the country. “Madobe called on President Uhuru Kenyatta not to recall the troops yet.