Al-Shabaab calls on Ruto to change Kenya’s policy towards Somalia

Al-Shabaab calls on Ruto to change Kenya’s policy towards Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia – Al-Shabaab was after all keen with the ongoing transition in Kenya, the group has revealed in a statement published by its propaganda and media team, calling for change of Nairobi’s “foreign policy” which they termed as “detrimental”.

Kenya held presidential elections a fortnight ago but the victory of outgoing Deputy President William Ruto has been challenged by veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga at the country’s apex court. The court will deliver a ruling by September 5th.

In the statement published by the group’s proxy media houses, Al-Shabaab poked holes on both presidential candidates and questioned their “inability” to address the presence of Kenya Defense Forces [KDF] in Somalia. The two candidates, Al-Shabaab noted “remained silent on the border problems”.

The statement, which was dubbed as “Kenya at crossroads”, saw the group question the current administration of Uhuru Kenyatta, while wondering why Nairobi was insisting on “occupying” Somalia “despite the war’s main objective having not been fulfilled for 11 years”.

Kenya, Al-Shabaab claimed, had sanctioned the media to give Somalia war a “total blackout” given the massive “losses” by KDF. The Kenyan forces are part of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] and are credited for liberating strategic towns such as Somalia.

But in the course of the critical process, KDF has suffered immense losses notably the 2016 El-Adde Forward Operating Base attack which left over 200 soldiers dead and subsequent attack at Kulbiyow which left over 70 soldiers dead.

However, KDF has increased surveillance along the Kenya-Somalia border, a strategic move which reduced attacks on Kenyan soil substantially. Regardless of this, the Al-Shabaab have continued to raid various parts of the country especially in northeastern counties of Mandera, Wajir and Garissa.

The group accused authorities in Kenya of subjecting Muslims to “unfair treatment” and “torture”, while citing various incidents in the past. It warned against “this bad culture”, which will be “fought vehemently” by the Mujahideen who are responsible for organized attacks.

Besides Ethiopia which confronted Al-Shabaab for the first time last month, Kenya has been a major target of the group which controls huge swathes of rural central and southern Somalia. In 2020, the militants targeted US Naval Base in Lamu, commonly called Camp Simba in Manda island.

Interestingly, Al-Shabaab seemingly predicted that William Ruto may be declared the president upon determination of Raila Odinga’s current petition at the Supreme Court, warning that “we are keenly following his attitude, competence and zeal to lead Kenya”.

The Al-Shabaab warned Ruto to “spearhead total overhaul” of Kenya’s foreign policy or “risk our wrath from the Mujahideen”. The first task if confirmed as president, Al-Shabaab added, Ruto “must start the process of withdrawing KDF troops from our country without delay”.

The statement has all indication that it was drafted by an Al-Shabaab communication expert from Kenya given his language and phrases. For instance, the group termed Ruto as ” Arap Mashamba”, a provocative phrase used in political sphere to dismiss the politician as “land grabber”.

Also, they termed him as a ” Kuku seller”, given Ruto’s humble background. In 1980s just as he finished schooling, Dr. Ruto is said to have sold eggs and chickens to feed his family, a fact which he has never denied throughout his political discourse.

“Al-Shabaab appears to be outsourcing its propaganda material to freelancers. How do we know this? Constant change in writing styles, tone, colloquialism,” noted Rashid Abdi, a security analyst.
“In just a span of three months we have seen two statements – one with Kenyanism; other with London slang.”

The group has fighters from around the world and the number of active fighters is around 7,000. Currently, the Kenya Defense Forces has close to 3,500 soldiers serving in Somalia and outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta has previously indicated that the army will stay in the Horn of Africa nation for a little longer.

GAROWE ONLINE