Uhuru Kenyatta urges Somalis to form credible government

President Uhuru Kenyatta with a KDF soldier, who was injured during an attack by Al-Shabaab on their base at El-Adde in Somalia, at Armed Forces Memorial Hospital in Nairobi on January 22, 2016. PHOTO | PSCU 

In Summary

• He challenged Somalis to seize the opportunity of peace in their country to move forward.
• The President was accompanied by his deputy William Ruto and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta.

By FRED MUKINDA
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President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday paid tribute to Kenyan soldiers killed by Al-Shabaab in El-Adde and urged Somalis to take advantage of liberated regions to form a credible government.

The President said Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) troops have liberated many parts of Somalia from the grip of Al-Shabaab.

He challenged Somalis to "seize the opportunity" to move forward.

“This is time for Somalia to demonstrate they are ready to build a strong government that controls all territories,” he said.

In his tribute to the KDF, President Kenyatta said all Kenyans are grateful to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives to ensure the country is safe.

“We thank God for blessing us with men and women of character…Your mission has saved lives of many Kenyans,” he said.

Earlier, the President spent time at the Armed Forces Memorial Hospital in Nairobi visiting soldiers injured in last week's attack.

The President was accompanied by his deputy William Ruto and First Lady Margaret Kenyatta.

Cord co-principals Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetang'ula were also at the event.

Representatives of Amisom, the African Union and the United Nations were also present.