Kenya’s biggest military association with another country goes down history with General Julius Waweru Karangi, citing his major involvement in the battle for Kismayo.
This is undoubtedly one of the boldest resolutions that Kenya has ever made- plunging into battle for Kismayo in Somalia which has proved successful and immense credit goes to the Kenya Defence Forces with a keen appreciation of Gen Karangi, a big mastermind in the operation.
It was during Gen Karangi’s term that the Kenya Special Forces, a fine squad in Kenya’s Defence Forces landed in Kismayo and secured the foothold for the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in Somalia which was followed by a clean takeover of Kismayo, that had remained in the grip of the outlawed al Shabaab for a couple of years.
And one can bet this bold step goes down Kenya’s history for having plunged into war in another country to help in the fight for peace. It has never happened before with other Kenya Defence Forces chiefs.
In a book titled ‘Operation Linda Nchi, Kenya’s Military Experience in Somalia’ which Gen Karangi contributes in its writing, he quotes in the blurb among other sentiments; “We pay tribute to those who paid the ultimate price, suffered injuries and those who continue to serve in different capacities against our enemy”.
In the blurb, Gen Karangi refers to Somalia’s enemy, the al Shabaab who are out for the country’s ecomonic and political downfall.
He is the main pillar behind Operation Linda Nchi, providing tactical intelligence to the fighters that have seen all the positive results of the operation until now. If Kenya was to withdraw from Somalia at any moment, it won’t be energy wasted. Somalia is now a way stable before KDF’s and other forces’ battle for Kismayo.
The sentiment appreciation of Kenyan soldiers contained in the
aforementioned book’s blurb comes from a thoughtful General Julius Waweru Karangi, the man whose service in the Kenyan forces dates back to 1975.
