- On July 1, the KDF troops killed 11 al-Shabaab militants during an operation carried out between Sarira and Kolbio areas in Boni Forest, near the Lamu-Somalia border.
- The slain militants were part of the Jeysh Ayman team led by Maalim Ayman who had planned to carry out attacks within the Lamu Port
Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa toured bases controlled by Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) troops deployed at Kismayu Forward Operation Base (FOB), under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
Officials said the Wednesday visit was aimed at boosting the troops’ morale as they continue with operations against the al-Shabaab terror group and capacity building for the Somalia National Security Forces.
He told the personnel the government is committed to supporting their welfare and their families while deployed in mission areas.
“We cannot thank you enough for your service and we appreciate the role you are playing here, for the love of humanity,” said the CS.
It was the latest such visit to the area as the troops continue to push back a resurgent al-Shabaab gang.
Col Joel Maiyo, representing the Kenyan Contingent Commander during the visit, noted that the soldiers remained mission-ready and have been carrying out their duties diligently and with integrity.
The Commanding Officer Kismayu FOB Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Kasaine said the visit would go a long way in boosting the soldiers’ morale while undertaking their duties.
Later, the CS visited the Kenya Navy Base Manda Bay where he interacted with KDF troops and other security agencies deployed under the Multi-Agency Operation Amani Boni.
He told the soldiers that the Ministry of Defence is committed to improving their welfare and mentioned the upgrade of healthcare infrastructure across the country, citing the regional hospitals opened in Eldoret, Isiolo and Nairobi.
Boni Forest is an operation zone as the national government has since 2015 conducted a multi-agency security exercise dubbed Linda Boni, which is aimed at flushing out al Shabaab militants believed to be hiding there.
Research by government security agencies says 30 per cent of the country’s security problems are traced to the porous Somalia border often penetrated by terrorists.
On July 1, the KDF troops killed 11 al-Shabaab militants during an operation carried out between Sarira and Kolbio areas in Boni Forest, near the Lamu-Somalia border.
A rocket-propelled grenade launcher (RPG), several assault weapons, assorted ammunition and personal effects were recovered during the operation.
Officials said the slain militants were part of the Jeysh Ayman team led by Maalim Ayman who had planned to carry out attacks within the Lamu Port South Sudan Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor using Improvised Explosive Devices.
They were all newly graduated al-Shabaab terrorists who were part of a logistics team that was moving IEDs toward Sarira.
KDF went to Somalia in October 2011. Kenya's incursion into southern Somalia started after the kidnapping of two Spanish women, who were working for MSF at Dadaab refugee camp.
The abductions were carried out by the militants who the troops planned to push away under Operation Linda Nchi.
Two years later, the troops managed to take control of Kismayo port under Operation Sledge Hammer.