Kenya has defended its move to pull its troops from South Sudan, saying the decision will not affect its international standings.
On Sunday, State House spokesperson Manoah Esipisu dismissed the critics of the decision terming it as ‘ignorance.’
“Ignorance is a bad thing. Ask yourself where we were before this administration took office. We have made such giant strides in our international standing,” he said.
According to the Daily Nation, he said Kenya would continue with its peace efforts through other regional fronts.
“Kenya will keep its obligation to South Sudan. We will work with them bilaterally, in Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the East African Community, which we worked hard to get them there, and the African Union. What we will not do is work with them on UNMISS,” said Esipisu at State House during his weekly press briefings.
He said Kenya values its dignity and sovereignty, which he noted, has been challenged through the sacking of its commander, Lt Gen Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki, without consultations.
“A country must decide where it stands with its people, where it stands with its dignity and where it stands with its sovereignty. If someone is going to take a decision, a Kenyan commander without consulting Kenyans, that person has to accept consequences from the Republic of Kenya,” he asserted.
The first batch of the KDF soldiers arrived in the country last week and more are expected to return as Kenya withdraws it forces from the UNMISS.
The move follows what Kenya termed as the unfair sacking of Lt Gen Ondieki.
Last week, Cord leader Raila Odinga faulted the President’s move to pull out the KDF from South Sudan stating he made the decision out of anger and without due consultation on its implications.