Kenya through KDF troops has changed strategy in saving their most trusted ally in the fight against Al-Shabaab, Sheikh Ahmed Madobe, with only two days to Jubbaland polls.
Sheikh Madobe is facing fierce opposition from federal government under President Mohammed Farmaajo and the Ethiopia administration.
Monday's blocking of Ethiopian plane from landing in Jubbaland capital Kismayo was the latest attempt by KDF to keep at bay any plan to sneak in officials from Mogadishu to the region.
A staff member at Kismayo airport, who gave his name as Ismail, said the plane took off from Gode in southeastern Ethiopia and eventually landed in the Somali town of Baidoa. It was not certain if the plane was civilian or military.
"It wanted to land at Kismayo airport but was denied clearance because it did not send information in advance," Ismail told Reuters by telephone.
The news incident comes after Ethiopian officials including a senior commander last week failed to convince Jubbaland leader Ahmed Madobe to allow Somali federal officials to land at the airport, and to extend election date. Madobe eventually accepted the latter but from UN envoy.
Kismayo hosts AMISOM from Sector 2 (Kenya) and Sector 6 (Burundian, Kenyan, Ethiopian).
A source says commander of Sector 6 who is Ethiopian proposed two days ago deployment of units of ENDF at Kismayo airport; Kenyan commanders asked him to bring a written request and eventually denied him.
It's believed that the plane was carrying officials from Modadishu and Ethiopian National Defence Forces in an attempt to infiltrate regional polls at Jubbaland.
Already, Kenya seems to have had her strategies right, following the election of Sheikh Abdi Mohamed as the regional speaker ahead of August 21st polls.
"Jubbaland parliament re-elects Sheikh Abdi Mohamed Abdirahman as Speaker ahead of the region’s leadership election. Abdirahman got 55 votes out of the 73-member parliament, his rival Hussein Shiinow Ali received 18 votes - media," VOA journalist Harun Maruf said.