Kenyan Leaders call for urgent withdrawal of Kenyan troops from Somalia

Opposition leaders have renewed their calls for the withdrawal of Kenyan troops from Somalia as a measure of deflecting terrorist attacks.

They said Al-Shabaab had made it clear that the presence of Kenyan troops in Somalia was the reason the country was often targeted by jihadist groups. Speaking at Moi University’s Odera Akango campus in Yala during the burial of writer and politician Grace Ogot, the leaders asked the government to reassess Kenya’s involvement in Somalia’s civil war.
Siaya Senator James Orengo noted that the US had withdrawn it troops from Afghanistan because occupation was ultimately unsustainable. “We know very well the consequences of a war of occupation. We must withdraw our troops from Somalia to end this. We must rethink our strategy and have a targeted and principled way of engaging Somalia rather than put our people at risk,” said Orengo. ”
Condemning the Garissa attack that resulted in 152 deaths, Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo said Kenya should draw key lessons from Ethiopia which has a longer border with Somalia but is hardly a target of attacks. To stem further attacks, Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo challenged President Uhuru Kenyatta to iron out problems in the police service. “The President should organise the chain of command in the force to more effectively engage with the Al-Shabaab,” he said.,Seme’s Dr James Nyikal said the Government should utilise the intelligence reports it receives to avert attacks. “We have on many occasions failed to prevent attacks because we ignore intelligence reports,” he said. Others who attended the funeral paid tribute to Ogot. Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s wife Ida described Ogot as a great African who should be emulated. Ogot was my mentor. Nominated women leaders should emulate her achievements and seek elective positions like she did,” said Mrs Odinga. Former Karachuonyo MP Phoebe Asiyo asked women not to only depend on affirmative action to progress.
“We went through a great deal in the past but stood firm. This should emulated by other women leaders,” said Asiyo
Grace Onyango, Kisumu’s first female MP, described Ogot as a selfless leader who improved the lives of women using the Maendeleo ya Wanawake movement.
“Young and upcoming women leaders should be like this fallen icon who introduced coffee farming in Nyanza and ensured women diversified agricultural produce,” said Onyango. Nominated Senator Elizabeth Ongoro described Ogot as a great African leader who overcame gender prejudices. The director of Kenya Kiterature Bureau, Eve Obara said Ogot donated a Sh50 million land parcel for construction of the Moi University campus in Yala because of her commitment to improve education. “She was a mirror to the society and the literature books she wrote contributed to the improvement of education,” said Maseno University Vice Chancellor Prof Dominic Makawiti. Former University of Nairobi Vice Chancellor George Magoha eulogised Ogot as an inspiration to both the young and old.
Source: standardmedia.co.ke