KDF soldiers awarded medals of honor for bravery during Al-Shabaab’s attack on US military base

GOOBJOOG NEWS/NAIROBI: The African Union Mission in Somalia (AFRICOM) has awarded three Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) servicemen with the Joint Service Commendation medals for their heroic deeds during the 5th January 2020 Al-Shabaab attack at Manda Base, in Lamu County.

The US AFRICOM Director of Operations Major General Gregory Anderson awarded Colonel Daniel Rotich, Major Martin Muthaura and Corporal Peter Shikuri with the meritorious awards for defending Camp Simba in Manda, which hosts KDF and US military.

Major Gregory thanked the three soldiers for their courage under fire, leadership skills and dedication to duty; factors which were critical in the defeat of the terrorists who had attacked the airfield at Manda, and were threatening to take control of the base.

“You kept yourself on the frontline to protect others and save your nation. This is indeed commendable and we thank you for your courage and bravery,” said Major General Anderson.

An al-Shabaab attack on a Kenyan base in Manda bay on January 5, 2020 led to the death of three US nationals. The KDF officers repulsed the attackers, killing five of the militants while the rest managed to flee to Somalia.  

The feting of the three KDF servicemen came after military investigations revealed that poor leadership, inadequate training and a “culture of complacency” among U.S. forces undermined efforts to twart off the attack that also wounded three people and destroyed six aircraft.