Monday, December 28, 2015
KISMAYU Somalia (AMISOM) -- The Kenya Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF) General Samson Mwathethe has paid a visit to Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) troops serving under Africa Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in Kismayo and commended them for a job well done.
While addressing the troops at Kismayo International Airport, Gen Mwathethe said that Kenyans and KDF acknowledged the risks, personal sacrifice and gallantry the soldiers have shown since their deployment in Somalia.
He said that his visit was to bring season greetings from Kenya to the troops and to be with them, this being a reflection of ‘espirit de corps’ within the KDF.
He further congratulated the soldiers for their acts of valor and effort to reduce the threat posed by Al Shabaab and other armed groups to the people of Somalia and thereby ensuring the sovereignty and integrity of the Republic of Kenya.
"Al Shabaab terrorists are like a snake that comes to do harm in your house.
"The natural instinct is to kill the snake from outside before it enters your house to do harm.
"We are here to kill the enemy before he enters our Country to harm fellow Kenyans.
"By doing so, we also ensure the snake will also not do harm to our neighbors" he said.
Gen Mwathethe also emphasized to the Kenyan troops on the essence of working closely with the Federal Government of Somalia and other Troop Contributing Countries in the African Union Mission with the common purpose being to defeat terrorism, ensuring Somalia attains full peace and regains its rightful place in the community of nations.
"We are here in Somalia to defeat terrorism and we shall not relent until we achieve that objective," he added.
The CDF also conveyed season greetings and best wishes to the troops from their Commander – in – Chief and from Kenyans.
He later shared a meal with the troops at the AMISOM military camp in Kismayo.