Kenyan soldiers ‘missing in action’ in Somalia

Two Kenyan soldiers have been declared “Missing in Action” (MIA) after they got lost during an operation at the border with Somalia.

Defence assistant minister Joseph Nkaissery said Senior Sergeant Jonathan Kipkosgei Kangogo and Corporal Evans Mutoro have not been found since the incident on the morning of July 24.

The two were in the company of Sergeant Said Abdiaziz Haji as they went about military re-supply duties in Wajir County near the border with Somalia.

Mr Nkaissery said the three lost their way and entered Somalia at a place called Dif, and were 60 kilometres inside the war-torn country when they were intercepted by the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) troops.

Friendly or al Shabaab

“It is believed that Sgt Kangogo and Cpl Mutoro escaped from the TFG troops because, as at that time, they could not establish whether they were friendly or al Shabaab,” said Mr Nkaissery.

The assistant minister said that Sgt Haji was surrendered to his unit at the border, but Sgt Kangogo and Cpl Mutoro are yet to be found.

All three were serving on the Transport Battalion, which is based at Kahawa Garrison in Nairobi. Sgt Haji was said to have been injured when he was taken back home.

The matter raised a storm in Parliament after MPs questioned the veracity of the statement by Mr Nkaissery.

Dujis MP Aden Duale alleged that the area is controlled by the al Shabaab.