President Uhuru Kenyatta has received overwhelming support from governors across the country on his position that Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) troops will not move out of Somalia in light of sustained deadly attacks by Al Shabaab.

The governors supported the President’s position that the troops should not leave Somalia until all members of the terror group are eliminated.

But some, like Tana River’s Hussein Dado, demanded that Kenyan soldiers vacate the war-torn country without further delay.

“We ought to congratulate our forces for doing a gallant job inside Somalia but the time has come for our troops to come home because they have achieved the main objective of stabilising that country.

“Secondly, our forces cannot be there forever because even the government and members of Parliament in Somalia have been calling for KDF to leave,” said Dado.

He further described the Somali government as “a group that is not appreciative because they have been demanding Kenyan sea territory. We had better leave and defend our borders from within and only pursue them whenever they try to attack us”.

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Governor John Mruttu of Taita Taveta was also categorical that the Kenyan soldiers should leave Somalia.

“I do not understand KDF’s strategy. I would have thought that securing our borders is more important than occupying Kismayu.  We seem surprised when Al Shabaab carries out retaliatory attacks against us. Surely, isn’t this to be expected? We are at war but we do not seem to be on a war footing.

“If we do not have enough resources to be both in Kismayu and also secure our borders, then we should pull out of Kismayu,” advised Mruttu.

But chairman of the Council of Governors, Bomet’s Isaac Ruto, said the troops should not be withdrawn because KDF has not achieved its mission in Somalia.

And Lamu Governor Issa Timmamy asked the country’s leadership to review the initial objectives of deploying KDF troops in Somalia before making a decision on whether to withdraw or not.

“Before moving out, those in leadership must look at the pros and cons to safeguard national unity,” said Timmamy.

Nairobi County’s Evans Kidero, said "the decision of whether to pull out or not is a very weighty matter”, but promised to think through it before responding with a firm position.

Others like Marsabit Governor Ukur Yatani supported the continued stay of the soldiers in Somalia. He recounted that not all leaders supported the deployment of the troops when the idea was first floated.

Rethink strategy

“It is important to remember that the sending of our soldiers into Somalia was not agreed upon by all leaders in the then grand coalition government,” said Yatani.

He opposed calls for withdrawal of the Kenyan troops, arguing that the time was not ripe for a pull out, but called for a serious rethink of the strategy in Somalia and how to keep the terrorists at bay in all parts of Kenya.

“The country has to adopt a different strategy both in Somalia and at home. The current strategy has failed because the terrorists easily get into our country and harm citizens,’’ the Marsabit governor said.

He dismissed the argument that the Kenyan border is porous and easily crossed by members of the terror group, saying it is the duty of the country’s leadership to secure the borders.

Yatani also questioned the rationale of kicking Al Shabaab out of its strongholds and at the same time leaving gaps through which its members could slip into Kenya.

Yatani, a career administrator who once served as a senior district commissioner and as Kenya’s ambassador to Austria, queried why neighbouring Ethiopia, considered the most hated country by the Al Shabaab, and the first to deploy its troops into Somalia, had successfully managed to keep the militants at bay.

“The security forces from Ethiopia are known to be disciplined, patriotic and committed to protecting their country. The situation is not the same with ours,’’ said the governor.

“There are many challenges facing the security personnel in Kenya, including poor remuneration, indiscipline, corruption, ethnic bias and poor training.’’

Isiolo Governor Godana Doyo asked the Government to scale up security surveillance along the porous border areas to avert attacks.

“KDF should stay put in Somalia since the withdrawal of our army from the war-torn country amounts to conceding defeat to the outlawed outfit,” said Doyo.

Kirinyaga Governor Joseph Ndathi also scoffed at calls by some politicians to withdraw KDF troops from Somalia.

“What should be understood is that there was justification for Kenya to go to Somalia after its militants made several attacks on our territory, including kidnapping tourists from Lamu,’’ he said.

Ndathi once served as a district officer in Mandera and is familiar with the terrain and the danger posed by armed militia in the northern Kenya area.

“Rather than withdraw the fighters from Somalia, we should increase their numbers to contain the rising insecurity,” he said.

Ndathi asked Kenya to borrow a leaf from the Ethiopian system, where every shopkeeper is armed and trained to deal with any insurgency, while instant justice is also dispensed against culprits.

Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu concurred with Ndathi.

Border checks

“KDF should not withdraw, because doing so will not end the insecurity problems our country is facing,” he said.

Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua also cautioned that withdrawing would be tantamount to giving in to the terror threat that has affected the whole world.

“Let the KDF and AMISOM (African Union Mission in Somalia) intensify border checks and attacks on Al Shabaab camps, especially along our border with Somalia,” said Gachagua

Gachagua asked the Kenyan troops to be proactive and launch offensives against the terror group.

Tharaka Nithi Governor Samuel Ragwa blamed the KDF for failing to secure the Kenya-Somalia border and advised that the soldiers should not be withdrawn.

Ragwa also posited that withdrawal would portray weakness on the side of the Government.

“The problem is not the soldiers in Somalia but the failure of our border officers who have been corrupt and have allowed our enemies to attack us.

“Our soldiers went there to ensure peace and stability is achieved and that is what they must continue to do,” he said.

However, Ragwa said the soldiers need to ask themselves whose interests they are serving while in the neighbouring country.

“General (Julius) Karangi needs to evaluate whose interests the Kenyan troops are serving while in Somalia. Focus is very important,” he said.

Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria said: “The troops should not be withdrawn and the presence of KDF should be appreciated as the level of invasions by terrorists had been reduced because many of the planned attacks failed.”

He said instability in Somalia must be checked to ensure the Al Shaabab militia do not cross over and cause havoc in Kenya.

“We need a stable neighbourhood to help the nation grow economically and socially,” said the governor.

Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka also called for the retention of the troops in Somalia until the war-torn country becomes stable.

He condemned those calling for the withdrawal of Kenyan troops, arguing that the current insecurity threats are as a result of the close links between Kenya and the United States of America, which is leading the war against terrorism worldwide.

He added: “In 1998, Kenya was attacked by terrorists yet we had not taken our troops to Somalia. Therefore, those attributing the current insecurity tothe KDF operation are misleading people.”

Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya also rooted for KDF to continue with the operation in Somalia until the country stabilises.

He, too, disagreed that the rampant insecurity in the country resulted from KDF‘s presence in Somalia.

“Without security and stability in Somalia. we cannot enjoy a peaceful co-existence along our borders and that will affect our economic growth,” said Oparanya.

He dismissed the KDF critics and pointed out that it is not only Kenya that has troops in the neighbouring country.

“Ethiopia, Uganda and other countries have troops in the war prone country but they are not experiencing any security threats,” argued Oparanya.

Kisii County Governor James Ongwae said: “Withdrawing is a sign of defeat. We should stop the blame game and seal the loopholes in the security structure. We should put more attention along our borders to curb the entry of criminals and illegal weapons into the country.”

And his Nyamira counterpart, John Nyagharama, added: “The Government must reconsider the role of KDF in Somalia and see if the objectives have been met. The mandate of the forces must be redefined so as to protect the country.”

In Kisumu County, Governor Jack Ranguma said: “It is important for us to review KDF’s continued stay in Somalia versus the security needs in the country. If KDF’s presence can help resolve the runaway insecurity, then the Government should establish an exit strategy.”

Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong agreed that Kenya troops should be withdrawn from Somalia, arguing that it was wrong for the country to send soldiers to a neighbouring country because of the proximity.

“Our troops should exit Somalia because foreign policy advocates for distant countries to be deployed in such missions. Kenya and Somalia have a common border and that attracts retaliatory attacks,’’ observed Ojaamong.

“The best thing is for Kenya to dialogue with Somalia’s leaders. The continued stay of our troops there makes Somalia to gain massive support from elsewhere and they will continue to fight us.”

In Uasin Gishu, Governor Jackson Mandago warned that the Al Shabaab militants should not cow the country into withdrawing KDF soldiers.

Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos agreed: “Kenya is not in Somalia alone; withdrawing would amount to betraying a continental cause. All we should do as Kenyans is avoid schemes by Al Shaabab to divide us ideologically and along religious lines.”

West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin said Kenyan soldiers ought to protect the country against external aggression, and pulling out of Somalia could only be an act of cowardice.

He observed that provided they are in Somalia legally, the soldiers should keep protecting Kenyan citizens from terrorists.

Standard procedure

Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi said: “Security is the function of the national government and we do not want to be seen to be micromanaging the sector. Whatever decision is made, whether to pull out or retain the forces in Somalia, it should ensure peace and security for Kenyans.

In Kwale, Salim Mvurya was also undecided: “I have looked at both sides and realised they both have implications and I will, therefore, not comment for now.”

Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony said withdrawing KDF from Somalia is not the solution in the fight against terrorism.

“The standard procedure every time the country faces external aggression or onslaught, and which is a common practice all over the world, is that citizens must rally behind the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,” he said.

Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi said the Horn of Africa is an important region in Africa and internationally, thus Somalia requires an international solution, which means KDF soldiers should stay put.

When contacted Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua and his Nyandarua counterpart Daniel Waithaka declined to comment on the issue of the withdrawal of troops.

Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulal could not be reached for comment as his phones went answered.

Also not reached were Ukambani governors Julius Malombe (Kitui), Kivutha Kibwana (Makueni) and Alfred Mutua (Machakos).