Is Kenya Preparing For War With Somali?

[kayundi2]

Kenya Army units have been put on stand by to counter any Al Shabaab insurgency spill over from Somalia.This follows the meeting of the country's top Security council which was chaired by President Kibaki and right Hon Raila Odinga on Tuesday.

Internal sources confirm that the Kenya Army is prepared to go into deep Somalia to counter the insurgency.Over 13000 Personnel have now been stationed in the border with reports that more are being dropped in by Army Helicopters.

Its also believed that about 500 officers have gone 10 KM into Somalia to secure an important bridge which the Al Shabaab had threatened to blow up in order to stop the movement of the Kenyan Millitary.

Over 130 Tanks are now on the border with several Fighter and Transport Helicopters on stand by in Moyale,Isiolo,Nanyuki and Moi Air Base in Nairobi

Other reprts indicate that a consignment from the US Milliatry and the Kenya Millitary was dropped in Mogadishu on Saturday by the Kenya Airforce by express orders from Kenya's Ministry of Defence
and the office of the Prime Minister

 

[Kaizer]

ohoo naona mambo yameiva..nadhani hao al shabab ni threat kwa usalama wa EA. Kenya itaweza peke yake au wataitaji wahabeshi?

 

[Yona F. Maro]

Hawana midege ya kushow off kama wamarekani duh

 

[Smatta]

Hawana midege ya kushow off kama wamarekani duh

Are you any better, do you even have an airforce to start with, you are still stuck with your vasco dagama atillery(zile mlizomfukuza nazo Amin), and a defence budget the size given to the youth fund here in kenya, (while your population is more than 40 milli)... LOL... kazi kuimba tu bongo flava, nakuishi in a mirage... LOL.. At times you make me laugh..

 

[Mdau]

Marekani watatupoteza..Somalia waenden wenyewe kama wanavyoenda nchi nyingine..

 

[MaxShimba]

Kenya's military is preparing to protect its borders and refugees seeking a safe haven in the country following threats by extremists in Somalia to attack Nairobi.

Tank battalions in Isiolo and Lanet are the military’s fist. They are used to attack troops, other tanks and infrastructure. Photo/FILE

The extremists, who have been fighting the Somalia government, have threatened to attack if Kenya sends its army to support the beleaguered transitional government. But the Kenyan military has been on high alert to prevent and — if need be — respond to any foreign attack.

At the same time, MPs on Thursday asked the government to close the border with Somalia and stop the movement of people from the war-torn Horn of Africa nation into Kenya.


Drastic action

The Parliamentary Committee on National Security described the threats by extremists as serious. “The threats require drastic action from the government,’’ said committee chairman Fred Kapondi, who is also the MP for Mt Elgon.


Mr Kapondi said people flocking into the country from Somalia posed a major security threat and should be blocked from entering Kenya. He said his committee and that of Foreign Affairs and Defence would jointly petition the government to take drastic action to protect its borders.

The Islamic militants, backed by foreign al-Qaeda fighters have been battling to topple the embattled government of President Sheikh Sharrif. Fifteen Somali MPs have so far fled to Kenya and their government has declared a state of emergency and called for urgent military support from the international community, including its neighbours.


Unconfirmed reports said a “Zulu alert” has been declared in some military installations. The alert means the county is in danger of attack and requires soldiers to be ready for action. There were also reports that some bases had cancelled leave and off days for their soldiers.


One soldier told the Nation that the Chief of General Staff, General Jeremiah Kianga, addressed soldiers at Moi Airbase, Nairobi, shortly before he left for Rwanda and informed them of the new leave orders.

On Thursday, there were reports in Garissa that al-Shabaab, the main militant group in Somalia, had threatened to blow up a crucial bridge that links northern Kenya with the rest of the country to prevent deployment of troops.


A special police rapid response unit has since been sent to guard the bridge. All vehicles and passengers are being thoroughly searched. “Our security is on high alert,” government spokesman Alfred Mutua said during the weekly briefing in Nairobi on Thursday. “Kenya will protect its citizens and the refugees near the border will be given the necessary comfort.’’

The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (Igad), which is chaired by President Kibaki, is expected to meet on the sidelines of the African Union summit in Sirte, Libya, on Monday. Igad has taken a hard line on the extremists and Eritrea, which is supporting them. Eritrea is mainly looking for a new theatre for its hostilities with Ethiopia, which in 2006 routed the Somalia Islamists. The two countries are technically in a state of war.

 

[Yombayomba]

Hapa Kenya hawaingii, wanajua jeshi lao dhaifu saana haliwawezi wasomali. Hawa walitakiwa waletewe wanyarwada au waethiopia

 

[Ab-Titchaz]

Wapi link ya hii story?...ama these are just drums of war
being beaten up for no purpose?

 

[MwanaFalsafa1]

I think they are arming up as a precautionary measure and not because they are preparing for war. Kenya borders Somali so they must take measures to insure non of the violence from Kenya spills to Somali. I think it's just border control for now and not war.

 

[MwanaFalsafa1]

Kibaki: State to get more involved in regional security

By Karanja Njoroge, Charles Langat and VPPS

President Kibaki has said Kenya will get more involved in regional security initiatives to help war-torn Somalia achieve stability.

The President said the country needs to diversify its security approach to remain safe.


A senior AP officer adjusts Commandant Kinuthia Mbugua's sword moments before President Kibaki awarded trophies to the best recruits at Gilgil AP Training College, Friday. [PHOTO: LUCAS THUO/STANDARD]

"We will need to diversify our approach and get more involved in regional security initiatives to assist neighbouring countries, especially Somalia, achieve stability," he said.

Kibaki said the situation in neighbouring countries was fluid and posed added security challenges. He cited inflow of illicit arms, aliens, contraband, globalisation and new technologies as some of the emerging security challenges for the country.

He was speaking in Gilgil when he presided over the graduation for 3,559 Administration Police recruits from Naivasha AP Training College.

He said the Government would ensure security forces serve the public adequately.

In reference to terror gangs, Kibaki warned the Government would deal decisively with such outfits.

Police reforms

"Let me reiterate that it is foolhardy for anybody to imagine that he or she can live on the sweat of others," he said.

He added: "We must not only respect the sanctity of life but also embrace the doctrine of hard work."

Kibaki urged Kenyans to support the recently formed police reforms task force, saying it is aimed at making the force more accountable.

He asked the youth to take advantage of Government initiatives to benefit economically.

"I call upon all people involved in crime and corruption to change their ways and make use of the new opportunities like the Kazi kwa Vijana programme," he said.

Speaking at the function, Internal Security Minister George Saitoti said several Bills would soon be introduced in Parliament to tackle emerging security challenges.

These include the Anti- Terrorism and Cyber Crime Bills.

Elsewhere, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka has said Kenya will not resort to military intervention in Somalia.

Kalonzo said the Government would instead intensify diplomatic efforts by engaging regional and international community.

He, however, said Kenya would protect her national interest when under threat. Kalonzo was speaking when he launched two publications on post-election violence at KICC, Nairobi, Friday.
Source: The Standard Online | printer friendly version

 

[Jasusi]

I think it is precautionary. Anyone who lives next to an anarchist state would be a fool to think there would not be any spill over. Kenya is very prudent in this.

 

[Lole Gwakisa]

Go Kenya , GO, Now at least you can prove the might of your untested arsenal and personnel under duress!

 

[MwanaFalsafa1]

Go Kenya , GO, Now at least you can prove the might of your untested arsenal and personnel under duress!

Mkuu you are encouraging war?

 

[Lole Gwakisa]

Mkuu you are encouraging war?

Hapana Mzee , but the porosity and weakness of Kenya's northern border is being felt all over East Africa.
Somalians (and Ethiopians)are being netted all over Tanzania today and almost daily.
Remember the Somalians who had the nerve of killing a Police patrol detail in Serengeti some few years ago?
It pays for Kenya to complitely secure its northern border , for East Africa.

 

[MwanaFalsafa1]

Hapana Mzee , but the porosity and weakness of Kenya's northern border is being felt all over East Afica.
Somalians (and Ethiopians)are being netted all over Tanzania toady and almost daily.
Remember the Somalians who had the nerve of killing a Police patrol detail in Serengeti some few years ago?
It pays for Kenya to complitely secure its northern border , for East Africa.

O.k. I get what you are saying mkuu. Sisi wengine tumezoea diplomatic language but I see you shoot straight to the point haha. But the truth is that Kenya is taking a precautionary measure to secure it's borders. I think it's just something routine that any country should do. Let's pray this doesn't turn into anything bloody and violent.

 

[Exaud J. Makyao]

War is bad game.
May God intervene.

 

[kayundi2]

Do you know that Kenya's millitary spending spending is almost a half of Uganda's national budget.........ie at Ksh 49 Billion?
Its a worrying trend since now that it has come to the limelight that the Kenyan Army is the strongest in the region terms of equipment and training of soldier......its only Ethiopia whom can compete with the Kenya Army because they have the numbers but no superior equipment.
Unknown to many,it has now been revealed that the Kenya Army has over 16 concealed F14 Fighter Jets supplied by Jordan year ago with several tanks like those used by the Russian Army.The kenyan Army also has over 165 Armoured Vehicles the same as those used by US Army in IRAQ supplied by the US Army......wat a worrying trend

 

[MwanaFalsafa1]

Do you know that Kenya's millitary spending spending is almost a half of Uganda's national budget.........ie at Ksh 49 Billion?
Its a worrying trend since now that it has come to the limelight that the Kenyan Army is the strongest in the region terms of equipment and training of soldier......its only Ethiopia whom can compete with the Kenya Army because they have the numbers but no superior equipment.
Unknown to many,it has now been revealed that the Kenya Army has over 16 concealed F14 Fighter Jets supplied by Jordan year ago with several tanks like those used by the Russian Army.The kenyan Army also has over 165 Armoured Vehicles the same as those used by US Army in IRAQ supplied by the US Army......wat a worrying trend

Maybe it's true but I also know some African armies tend to exaggerate the power and might of their armies. This is a strategic plan to make any potential enemy think twice about starting war with them. Let's be honest all armies around the region are about the same so if there was to be a war it will just be casualty after casualty. Look at the mighty army of the U.S. They have failed to finish up the wars in Afghan and Iraq and their casualties are very high. Tusijidanganye sana which army is mightier, when it comes down to it their are no winners in a war.

 

[Zanzibar]

Hapana Mzee , but the porosity and weakness of Kenya's northern border is being felt all over East Africa.
Somalians (and Ethiopians)are being netted all over Tanzania today and almost daily.
Remember the Somalians who had the nerve of killing a Police patrol detail in Serengeti some few years ago?
It pays for Kenya to complitely secure its northern border , for East Africa.

At least Ethiopian and Somalians are not even heroin and cocaine traffickers like Kenyans who are the greatest threat to Tanzania and the whole of East Africa.

Kenya has become a major transit point for cocaine from West Africa into Middle East region and Europe!

 

[Nyaralego]

At least Ethiopian and Somalians are not even heroin and cocaine traffickers like Kenyans who are the greatest threat to Tanzania and the whole of East Africa. So you prefer he marxism in Ethiopia and Anarchy in somalia? the Al qaeda sympathy in Somalia...Please this debate is about Kenya and Somalia...the instability in Somalia...how do drugs come in?...Anyway ...We do sell to the Somali's that Khat /mirraa, we are already dealing for them...hahahaha!!!

Kenya has become a major transit point for cocaine from West Africa into Middle East region and Europe!

What of all those wabeba unga from TZ...who used to trafficking from Turkey, Bombay/Mumbai, Pakistan? so do not think you are immune to it
can we stick to the Kenya /Somalia issue...No country seems to be able to reason with Somalia...They are clanish people and are ruled by warlords belonging to different clans...it is profitable for them this way coz the operate like little mafia groups. A responsible Govt. is a rumour in this region.

Someone in this thread said that "War has no winners" its just casualties gruesome and terrifying!