Kenya strengthens military diplomacy ties with the US
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and United States Africa Command (US AFRICOM) today held a joint meeting to strengthen military ties between the two Forces.
The Chief of the Defence Forces General Robert Kibochi led the KDF leadership while General Stephen Townsend led the US AFRICOM team during the talks.
The bilateral talks were attended by Dr Ambassador Monica Juma, Cabinet Secretary (Defence) and H.E. Kyle McCarter, US Ambassador to Kenya.
Earlier on, His Excellency president Uhuru Kenyatta hosted Commander US Africa Command after the latter paid a courtesy call at State House, Nairobi.
This comes after Somalia cut ties with Kenya citing interference and violation of her territorial integrity.
The country’s Minister of Information Osman Dubbe, speaking at 1:40 am Mogadishu time on state-run SNTV, recalled all Somalia’s back to Mogadishu and ordered all Kenyan diplomats to leave within 7 days.
Dubbe asserted that Kenya has constantly meddled in Somalia’s internal affairs and politics.
“Somalia wants all its diplomats to go back to Mogadishu and Kenyan diplomats have seven days to leave the country,’’ Dubbesaid.
During the meeting, the leaders discussed regional peace and security and agreed on strengthening collaborations in counter terrorism and building capacity through training and joint operations.
General Townsend was accompanied to the meeting by Kenya’s Chief of Defence Forces General Robert Kibochi and US Ambassador to Kenya Kyle McCarter.
