MPs to debate KDF proposal to join Amisom

The proposal to have Kenya’s military join the African Union forces in attempts to remove Al-Shaabab from Somalia will be debated in Parliament on Thursday.

The decision to have the matter discussed was made by Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim on Wednesday morning following the notification to Parliament by Defence minister Yusuf Haji.

Parliament is required to consider and possibly approve the request by the continental body for the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to join the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom).

The request to have the KDF rehat- to operate in Somalia at the behest of the AU and wear the green berets of their forces- was approved by the Cabinet at a meeting on Tuesday.

Parliament could be asked to debate the matter in camera as Kiema Kilonzo (Mutito, ODM-K) sought to have the Speaker ask for the discussions to be closed.

But Mr Maalim cut him short and asked him to make the request when the time comes for the debate to proceed.

Kenyan troops crossed into Somalia in mid-October in hot pursuit of Al Shaabab who were accused of being behind the kidnap of two foreign tourists and the murder of another.

They have taken control of several towns in Southern Somalia and are working with soldiers from the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia to remove Al Shaabab.

The ultimate target of this combined assault on the militants is the taking of the port city of Kismayu, from which Al Shaabab have been collecting the revenue they use to finance their activities.

The Amisom forces consist of soldiers from Uganda and Burundi and have been fighting Al Shaabab in Mogadishu before KDF moved into Southern Somalia.

Kenya will also host the Nairobi Summit on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia early next year, and the Cabinet also approved this.