The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has celebrated Kenyan troops for their invaluable contribution to the ongoing peace and stabilisation efforts in Somalia. The troops of the 10th Kenyan Contingent to Somalia under AMISOM were presented with the medals in Dhobley at a ceremony presided over by the AMISOM Force Commander, Lieutenant General (Lt Gen) Diomede Ndegeya.
Lt Gen Ndegeya commended the contingent for executing their duties with courage and professionalism amidst difficult conditions, and for piloting various community initiatives in Jubaland State, where the troops are based.
“These troops have done a wonderful job in degrading the threat posed by Al-Shabaab. They have also carried out numerous life-saving CIMIC activities and have engaged in key outputs with leaders and members of communities in Jubaland State. I came here to congratulate and celebrate them,” Lt. Gen. Ndegeya said.
Lt Gen Ndegeya further noted that for the past decade that the KDF troops have been in the Federal Republic of Somalia, they have made great contributions towards its stabilisation process and paid a glowing tribute to the valiant soldiers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
“For the ten years that the KDF troops have been here, they have contributed a great deal in the fight against terror and with that we have lost some of our brave soldiers. I pay special tribute to them and assure their families and the world that their lives have not been lost in vain as remarkable stability has been achieved in Somalia,” he said.
AMISOM Force Commander also lauded the Kenyan Contingent for putting up a rapid mobile force that is critical in providing quick reaction for targeted operations against Al Shabaab. He also recognised the excellent Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) activities implemented by the troops, especially those targeting women and the youth and have improved livelihoods in the local communities.
AMISOM Sector II Commander, Brigadier Jeff Nyagah, assured the Force Commander that the troops remain mission focused, resilient and motivated in conducting their operations and engagements in line with AMISOM’s mandate.
AMISOM Force Commander also opened a Smart Farm at the Dhobley Forward Operating Base. The Smart Farm is based on the three main thematic areas; psychotherapy role for supporting troops serving under AMISOM, Environmental Soldier Programme which is aimed at preserving the environment through tree planting and it is also a demonstration tool on modern farming methods, targeting women and the youth to empower them economically.
The medal parade ceremony was attended by the Deputy Force Commander in-charge of Operations and Plans, Major General William Kitsao Shume, AMISOM Chief of Operations, Colonel Allan Kalanzi and AMISOM Sector II Deputy Commander, Colonel Pascal Kitiro among other AMISOM and KDF officers.
