Uhuru should withdraw our troops from Somalia

Terrorist attacks against civilians whether shooting innocent civilians at the Westgate Mall, shooting students at Garissa University or detonating IED's in Matatus are crimes against humanity. The perpetrators in this case, al-shabaab must be stopped. Success will require a clear understanding of the roots of this ruthless network of jihadists.

Painful as it is to admit, the Kenyan government bears a level of responsibility for creating conditions in which al-shabaab have flourished in their attacks against Kenyans. Only a change in our foreign Policy vis-a-vis that of Somalia can help reduce the risk of further terrorism. The recent attacks on KDF must be understood as "blowback terrorism”: A dreadful unintended attack as a result of repeated KDF's covert and overt military action in Somalia. These operations have put Kenyans at a significant risk of terror attacks. Our borders are porous; anything comes in and goes out of our country! The government must first and fast secure them.

Our President should withdraw our troops from Somalia to avoid further loss of lives. We will not succeed where Americans have failed! Stop the illegal trade of charcoal and sugar (according to the UN report) and bring our men and women back home. Stop recalling those who had been dismissed from the force for one reason or the other and sending them over to the lions den in Somalia.

The war in Somalia, just like any other war on terror will never be won through military action but through diplomacy. Let's do some stock talking now. What is our achievement so far from our invasion of Somalia? Your guess is as good as mine. Simply nothing other than paying a heavy price!