The Kenya Defense Forces team is ready for upcoming 12th edition of East Africa military games despite ongoing row between Nairobi and Mogadishu over Indian Ocean maritime border.
On Wednesday, Vice Chief of Defense Forces Lieutenant General Robert Kibochi handed over the flag to participants, an indication that the country is still unmoved with Somalia threats.
"Lt Gen Kibochi pointed out that in the year 2017 KDF emerged the overall winners in the EAC military games held in Burundi and the same laudable performance is expected from this year’s teams," read a statement by KDF.
Present during the occasion were the Commander Kenya Army Lieutenant General Walter Koipaton, Assistant Chief of Defence Forces, Personnel and Logistics Major General Fatuma Ahmed, senior military officers, officers and services members.
While Somalia National Army is not a member of EAC military games, they have traditionally participated as visiting team. SNA relies on KDF and the US Marine for advanced training.
The Indian Ocean maritime border row is swiftly taking a new dimension, with Kenya now keen to deploy KDF troops should diplomacy fail.
In September, International Court of Justice is set to issue a ruling, but Kenya seems not interested anymore. Majority Leader Aden Duale on Wednesday petitioned Parliament to protect Kenya's maritime border.
"Today I gave notice of a motion on behalf of the @NAssemblyKE petitioning the Kenya Government to resolve the Maritime dispute and protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Kenya in accordance with Articles 5, 241(3), 255 of the constitution of Kenya," he said.
The latest move could deal a blow to the partnership between KDF and SNA, with also ongoing fight against Al-Shabaab militants likely to be immensely affected.