The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Francis Ogolla visited the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) troops operating under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to establish their level of preparedness to degrade the Al-shabaab militia.
Gen. Ogolla was received by Brigadier Luka Kutto, the Commander of Sector VI and 2 Mechanized Infantry Battalion (2 MIB) Commanding Officer, where he visited the troops based at the New Airport at various Forward Operating Bases (FOB) among them Kismayo, Abdale Birole, Kuday and Burgavo. The CDF further visited other FOB’s situated along the Kenya-Somali border.
The CDF’s tour is was intended to engage with the soldier, assess their state of mission readiness and to affirm the soldiers utility and effectiveness in delivery of the KDF mandate in their respective deployments.
The CDF received a brief on the security situation in Kismayo and the commendable efforts made by the troops in countering the threats posed by the Al-Shabaab in line with the ATMIS mandate.
While addressing the troops, Gen Ogolla commended them for their bravery and professionalism in promoting peace and mentoring the Somali Security Forces (SSF) towards assuming full security responsibility by the end of ATMIS in December 2024.
“Security awareness and alertness is key in the mission area. I urge you to remain alert and mission ready. Perform your duties in, positivity, high spirits, discipline, and courage in countering the enemy’s efforts. Let us strive to achieve sustainable peace in Somalia,” said Gen Ogolla.
During the visit, Gen Ogolla was accompanied by the General Officer Commanding Eastern Command (GOC EastComm), Major General Juma Mwinyikayi, the Chief of Operations, Brigadier Giliard Kimonge, among other officers from the Defence Headquarters.
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