Raila Odinga wants KDF withdrawn from Somalia to curb terror attacks
The Cord leader said the continued stay of Kenyan Military troops in the war-torn country was one of the reasons the country was being attacked by members of the Al-Shabaab terrorist group.
Mr Raila observed that an Africa Union (AU) resolution preceding Kenya’s intervention in Somalia late 2011 was against sending of soldiers from Somalia’s immediate neighbours into the war-torn country.
“The AU has a resolution which discourages a country from sending military officers to a troubled immediate neighbouring country,” Mr Raila said.
“We have a long border with Somalia and even erecting a wall won’t work. It is time that we look into ways that will see how our troops can withdraw from Somalia,” he added.
The CORD principal was speaking at Jesus Winning Soul Ministry in Migadini, Changamwe, which is led by Bishop Daniel Indatala. Raila was accompanied by Nyali MP Awiti Bolo and Mombasa members of county assembly.
“The US used to have many soldiers in Somalia but it recalled them. Kenya should also remove its military officers from Somalia,” former Primer Minister said.
He however told Kenyans to remain united and resist attempts by Al-Shabaab terror groups to divide them along religious lines.
“I ask Kenyans to reject the tricks by Al-Shabaab to drive a wedge between Muslims and Christians in Kenya while they are at war with fellow Muslims back in Mogadishu. They are on a deliberate campaign to divide Kenyans along religious lines and the tricks must be rejected.”
