Kenyan troops to fully exit Somalia in 2024 – CS Duale

Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale says plans are underway to fully withdraw more than 4,000 Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) troops serving under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) by December 2024.

Appearing before the Senate to answer questions on his ministry on Wednesday, October 4, Duale told the House that the withdrawal of ATMIS troops, formerly the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), began in April last year.

The CS revealed that the withdrawal was being done in phases with the last troops expected to leave Somalia in December 2024. The drawdown strategy is aimed at gradually transferring security responsibilities to the Somalia Security Forces (SSF) under the Somalia Transition Plan.

He noted that the ATMIS mandate is guided by the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Security Council.

“The last troops are expected to leave Somalia on 31 December 2024 as per the AU and UN Security Council resolution and plan,” Duale said.

The CS, however, pointed out that the decision for the Kenyan troops to leave Somalia depends on the prevailing security and political situation in the neighbouring country.

“Our exit from Somalia will depend on the national security of our country. We went there to protect our national security interests. The Ministry of Defense assures this house that any decision made for KDF to exit from Somalia should be in the best interest of the Republic of Kenya,” he added.

“If there is a change of plan, it is not the decision of the Government of Kenya but the decision of the AU Peace and Security Council and the UN Security Council.”

Duale was responding to security concerns raised by Marsabit Senator Mohamed Chute on the threats posed by the Al-Shabaab militants in the North Eastern region.

“Is it not prudent for the KDF to guard our borders and not be in Somalia? Mogadishu is now safer than Mandera, Tana River and Garissa,” the senator said adding, “Are there plans for the withdrawal of Kenyan troops from AMISOM and, if so, could the Cabinet Secretary indicate the timeline for such a withdrawal?”

On compensation of families of soldiers killed in the ongoing mission in Somalia, Duale revealed that families receive Ksh4 million in case the soldier dies within the country and USD50,000 (Ksh7.4 million) in case they die during the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

“The family will receive Ksh4 million within our country and at ATMIS the UN gives USD 50,000,” Duale said.

He noted that such compensations are disbursed to the family within a week after the death of the soldier.

“Families who have lost their loved ones are entitled to a compensation package that includes financial support which is promptly disbursed within a week,” he added.

Kenya launched Operation Linda Nchi on October 14, 2011, after gunmen seized tourists at the Coast, which the government saw as a threat to the country’s sovereignty as it targeted tourism, which is the nation’s economic lifeline.