Oguna denies senior officer spies for Al shabaab

Written By:Halligan Agade/Carol karimi,    Posted: Sat, Feb 04, 2012

Military spokesman Colonel Cyrus Oguna said the Operation which began in October 2011 is a success The capture of Badhadhe and Hosingo towns in Somalia early this week is a major milestone in the Operation Linda Nchi. The Kenya Defence Forces Information Officer Colonel Cyrus Oguna says the Al Shabaab militia has been using the two towns to transport firearms and Improvised Explosive devices hence the seizure is significant in cutting off the rag tag militia's access to weapons. "We expect to completely weaken Al-shabaab fighters and capture more of their strongholds. This is after destruction of their logistics bases, personnel and equipment,'' added Col. Oguna. On Friday KDF engaged the militants in Badhadhe killing several and injuring others. Hosingo town is the conduit town for contraband goods and arms on their transit to the interior of the war-torn country and Northern Kenya. At a joint press conference with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oguna said the al-shabaab group has now lost a huge source of revenue. He however said that they could not forget the plight of local people saying that resources were being channeled to building roads to open up the interior of Somalia and put up dams for the local people. Oguna however denied reports that a high level KDF officer has been spying for the Al-shabaab. He said the Kenyan soldiers were happy with the contribution they were making in the history of Kenya. "This is the first time Kenyan troops have crossed the border to pursue an enemy and every soldier is happy to take part in it," pointed Oguna. Oguna in his weekly brief to the press appealed to the youths saying there is still a window of opportunity for the Kenyans who have joined the Islamic militia group to surrender to the authorities. He also urged parents to monitor the movements of their children to ensure that they do not get misguided to join or be recruited to illegal sects. "We will offer amnesty to whoever surrenders to authorities," said Oguna adding that the defectors could also report to clerics for assistance Speaking at the same venue, Deputy Police Spokesman Charles Owino said that security has been beefed up in the country. "We have increased surveillance with uniformed officers and undercover detectives to increase vigilance in areas likely to be targeted," said Owino. Owino confirmed reports that two people were killed and two others seriously injured when an assailant attacked them at a Garissa hotel on Friday. Meanwhile IGAD is lobbying for the expansion of the Amisom force to 20,000 to boost Army operations in the war ravaged country. Foreign affairs Director Lindsey Kiptiness said talks are ongoing in New-York USA to push for more financing of Amison. And an AU summit is scheduled in London later this month to deliberate on the Somali conflict even as the mandates of the President, the Parliament Speaker and Deputies end in August this year to pave way for fresh elections.