Questions about ongoing withdrawal of Kenya Defense Forces from several parts of war torn Somalia remain unanswered even after President Uhuru Kenyatta maintained last year during Mashujaa Day that the team will remain there until stability is realised.
But on Thursday, security expert in the Horn of Africa Harun Maruf notes, Busar camp, the only remaining camp in Gedow region in the Nothern Sector, remained abandoned after the exit of KDF, seven years after occupation that saw Al-Shabaab militants weakened.
"Photo from Busaar military base abandoned by Kenya soldiers on Tuesday after 7 years. Kenya troops now based in two locations in Gedo region - Geriley and ElWak; both reportedly to be used as outposts in protecting Kenya border from Al-Shabaab infiltration," wrote Harun Maruf, a seasoned security expert in the Horn of Africa.
And now, the troops will be stationed along Kenya-Somalia border, despite being part of AMISOM troops who were tasked to restore order besides protecting civilian in the country that has largely remained unstable since 1991.
On Tuesday morning, a contingent of troops made the final withdrawal from Busar. “Our people spotted the troops heading towards the Somali border. They destroyed their military base before leaving,” a senior politician from Gedo, who requested not to be named for fear of reprisals by both KDF and Somali security forces, told the Nation.
Mr Aw Hirsi, the Minister for Planning and International Cooperation in Jubaland, told the Nation that the withdrawal had left the people uncertain as to whether the departure of the Kenyans could secure the region lasting peace and tranquillity, or whether it could further land their weary souls into the hands of Al-Shabaab militants.
The KDF operated bases in Bardera, Busar and El Adde, all of which it has since abandoned. It also had forward operating bases FOBs in Taraka and Fafadun, from which it also withdrew.
On Tuesday, Department of Defence Spokesperson Bogita Ongeri and KDF spokesperson Paul Njoroge declined to respond to the Nation's queries on what necessitated the movement of KDF troops towards the border, a move that could further raise eyebrows over Uhuru's commitment to restore peace in Somalia.
Since moving to Somalia in 2011 in the operation dubbed Operation Linda Nchi, KDF has suffered many casualties despite liberating several towns including Kismayu, a town once believed to have been the only source of income for the militants through sugar smuggling and charcoal selling.
But despite the success, Kenya suffered a huge loss in 2016 when close to 200 soldiers were reportedly killed at El Adde camp, which has since been run over by the Al Shabaab militants after the exit of Kenyan troops.
At home, the country has suffered several attacks linked to the militants, with the DusitD2 terror attack this year in January that claimed the lives of 21 people being the latest. Kenya also lost over 147 students at Garissa University in 2015.
Politicians majorly from the opposition have been calling for strategic withdrawal of troops, adding that they should be stationed at the border. Raila Odinga has been vocal on the matter. And the latest turnout of events, with his mutual working relationship with President Uhuru Kenyatta, could as well mean that the Head of State might have finally succumbed to pressure from opposition.