Tension is building between KDF chiefs in Nairobi and Amisom Commanders in Mogadishu over the role of Kenya in the entire operation in Somalia, eight years after Nairobi joined the mission.
According to the Nation, Amisom accuses KDF of 'behaving like big brother', adding that the Nairobi troops want special treatment are the expense of troops from other nations engaging in the fight against Al-Shabaab militants.
So vicious is the fallout that KDF troops have reportedly withdrawn from several camps within the Nothern Sector, even though KDF Communication Director Col Paul Njuguna has maintained that only the Amisom can confirm whether or not Kenya has indeed withdrawn.
About a week ago, Kenyan troops moved out of the Busar military base, the area which for years served as the KDF command centre in the northern sector of Jubaland. Gedo, Lower Juba and Middle Juba regions make up the state of Jubaland, whose president is Ahmed Madobe, a Kenyan ally.
“The sectors are strategically realigning their forces to offer effective protection to Somali populations and support the Somali National Army as they pacify their areas of responsibility,” Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Omwega, the Amisom spokesperson, said.
Lt-Col Omwega further stated that the movements “would create viable conditions as Amisom prepares for condition-based handover of national security responsibility to Somalia Security Forces as stipulated in the UNSCR 2431 and in line with Somalia Transition Plan.”
Whereas the Nation learnt that Kenyan troops had crossed the border, Amisom denied any knowledge. “As far as Amisom is concerned, no troops have crossed the border to Kenya,” Lt-Col Omwega said.
Kenya, through Operation Linda Nchi, moved to Somalia in 2011 as part of the mission to crash Al-Shabaab militants following a series of attacks in North Eastern part of the country. After one year, the troops managed to take over Kismayu, a town believed to be the center of the terrorist group.
In 2013, Kenyan troops were absorbed by the Amisom as part of reducing cost of the war. But since then, Nairobi has reportedly been pushing to have a bigger say in the forces, although the commander still remains an Ethiopian national.
While it's not clear if the differences within Amisom is the reason behind KDF pullout, there is also a stand off between Somalia and Kenya over ownership of Indian Ocean oil deposit wells which Nairobi is accusing Mogadishu of auctioning.
Recently, Kenya recalled her ambassador to Mogadishu besides sending away Somalia ambassador, a move which CS Monica Juma said would enable the two countries consult on the matter.
In 2016, Kenya suffered the worst military loss after suspected Al-Shabaab militants ran over a military base in El Adde, where approximately 200 soldiers are said to have been killed instantly.