KBC
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Speaking on Saturday during the weekly briefing on the progress of Operation Linda Nchi, Department of Defence spokesman Colonel Cyrus Oguna said the operation in Somalia has started to bear fruits as the socio economic status of the Somalia people slowly goes back to normal.
"With the return of normalcy in the liberated parts in Somalia, social and economic activities have picked up while non-governmental organizations are now conducting humanitarian efforts in the country."
The military officer said Somalis are now enjoying freedom in the liberated areas more than before, adding that Kenya's Coastline was now safer from pirates' attacks.
He said the Kenyan troops had made significant inroads into Al Shabaab-controlled areas adding that the troops have conquered most of the Alshabaab strong holds apart from a few areas that they are currently compacting.
He further said the piracy has also gone down in the Somalia Coast.
Oguna maintained that the operation is not targeting any religious community but is purely intended to flush out the outlawed millitia.
He said in the coastal region, tourism is booming and the sector is gaining confidence locally and internationally due to security which has been beefed up in all the tourist resort centres.
Colonel
Oguna commended the Kenyan Air force for upholding professionalism in
Somalia and the Somali people for supporting the war against the Al
Shabaab militia group, adding that pacification of the Somali people in
the areas liberated will be done systematically.
He
said Al Shabaab equipment and infrastructure have been destroyed in the
liberated parts of Somalia and the militias captured have been handed
over to the Somali TFG.
Speaking during the media briefing, Mr. Lindsey Kiptiness of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the operation in Somalia has won the support of Eastern African countries, the Middle East and the United Nations.
Mr.
Kiptiness also disclosed that many countries have supported
humanitarian efforts in Somalia, adding that the 600,000 refugees in
Northern Kenya also require external support in terms of food supplies
and medicine.
The official who is in-charge of the Horn of Africa Division in the ministry expressed fears that political intrigues within Somali TFG ranks might derail the operation efforts and urged them to resolve their problems amicably.
Kenya Police Spokesman Mr. Eric Kiraithe said that the Government will protect Kenyans and their properties against Al Shabaab threats despite the isolated attacks which have been reported in some parts of the country.
Mr. Kiraithe asked Kenyans to be vigilant against Al Shabaab ill-intentions and report any suspicious character to the nearest police station for necessary action.
He said the police force is now equipped and is capable of responding quickly and swiftly against any Al Shabaab threats reported in any part of the country.
AMISOM
The
Kenya Defence Forces who will soon join AMISOM forces under the
auspices of the African Union have been in Somalia for 62 days and are
working closely with the Somali TFG forces to liberate the country,
restore law and order and put in place functional social and economic
structures.
Kenya is joining the force at the invitation of the African Union.