The ongoing diplomatic row between Nairobi and Mogadishu may after all not affect ongoing operations by Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) troops in various parts of the war-torn nation, a top commander has said.

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Last week, authorities in Nairobi denied three Somalia government officials entry into the country over Visa despite having diplomatic immunity. In retaliation, Somalia has banned all meetings by her officials in Nairobi.

"Due to recent travel issues to Nairobi, Kenya, the Ministry... will not be able to attend all planned and upcoming meetings, workshops, seminars and trainings to be held in Nairobi (and advices that) those events be held inside the country or... at alternative countries for ease of travel," said Director-General Abdullahi Hashi Ali as quoted by the Nation.

Lieutenant Colonel Meshack Kishoyian, Commanding Officer Two Mechanised Infantry Battalion based in Kismayo said the relationship between the two countries remained cordial despite the diplomatic standoff.

“I have not seen any standoff whatsoever, we work cordially with Somali security forces and other AMISOM forces,” he said.

“KDF forms part of AMISOM, the military is straightforward, we are guided by our mandate and we have a mission which we are currently implementing in Sector Six, issues of politics will be handled at the level of politics,” he said as quoted by the Standard.

According to him, KDF will not be dragged into the political standoff, adding that the troops will continue serving in Somalia until the country's soldiers are properly mentored to take over.

“Ultimately it is the Somali forces who will be in charge of pacifying and ensuring that their country is safe and secure when AMISOM exits. 

"We’ve been able to mentor them by conducting joint operations to ensure that they are professional and capable of securing not only Kismayo but ultimately the whole of Somalia,” he said.

There were reports that Kenya is intending to withdraw troops from Somalia as part of a strategy to retaliate on the Indian Ocean maritime border row between the two countries.