Why KDF cannot pull out of Somalia anytime soon

It will be difficult for Kenya to pull out its troops from Somalia.

This can only happen if the war-torn country attains peace, Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Macharia Kamau has said.

Speaking during a four-day workshop in Nairobi, yesterday, Mr Macharia said the contribution of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in the horn of Africa was unavoidable.

“It is easy to get into peace building in Somalia. But it is hard to get out. This is because of our peace enforcement capabilities,” said Macharia.

KDF has been in Somalia since 2011. Critics have been calling for withdrawal of the soldiers from the troubled country.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has, however, stood steadfast against pressure to recall the troops.

He said it would only happen when peace was realised in Somalia.

During his keynote speech, Macharia repeatedly expressed confidence that Kenya’s peace-building contribution in Somalia would yield fruit.