Kenya signals Somalia troops withdrawal with budget cut

Kenya is demanding more compensation this year from the United Nations (UN) for its troops fighting Al-Shabaab in Somalia as it signalled to start withdrawing the soldiers from next July.

Treasury documents show that Kenya expects reimbursement of Sh8.5 billion in the financial year starting July, up from the current Sh6.1 billion — which has remained static for the past four years.

The refund is set to drop to Sh5 billion and Sh3.5 billion in the next two years, indicating gradual reduction of troops.

The UN eased Kenya’s cash crunch after it refunded Sh4.68 billion in the 10 months to April.

About 4,000 Kenyan soldiers are part of African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom). The African Union is keen on all the troops withdrawing by December 2020, but Kenya wants a delayed exit.