Kenyan Army Commander Lt. Gen. David Keter: Kenya Will Stand by Somalia Until Peace is Achieved.

The newly appointed Commander of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), Lieutenant General David Keter, conducted a frontline visit to Kenyan troops deployed in Somalia under the African Union’s AUSSOM mission. His visit covered key operational bases in Dhobley, Afmadow, and Kismayo, all located in the Jubbaland region of southern Somalia.

Lt. Gen. Keter, who was accompanied by senior military officials, was received by Sector II Commander Brigadier Edward Banda and Deputy Sector Commander Colonel Samson Kenga. The Kenyan delegation was briefed on ongoing military operations and the security situation in the region.

Speaking during the visit, General Keter emphasized the strategic importance of the mission, noting Kenya’s continued commitment to supporting regional stability and combating the threat posed by the Al-Shabaab militant group.

“Our presence here is not only about military engagement but also about reinforcing peace, supporting local communities, and ensuring a secure future for Somalia,” said Lt. Gen. Keter. He pledged to enhance operational efficiency and morale among deployed Kenyan troops.

Brigadier Banda praised the visit as a timely morale booster and reaffirmed Sector II’s full dedication to AUSSOM’s objectives, which include supporting Somali forces, stabilizing liberated areas, and degrading insurgent capabilities.

Kenya is one of the key troop-contributing countries to the African Union’s newly restructured AUSSOM mission, which replaced the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) earlier this year.

Mustaqbal