Duale Recants Statement on ‘Negotiating’ With Al Shabaab, Asks KDF to Take Over All Border Points

KDF should take over all areas along the Kenya-Somalia to ward off terror attacks, National Assembly Majority leader Aden Duale has said.

Duale specified that the soldiers should man all areas from Kiunga in Lamu county to Border Point One in Mandera.

“We have never and shall never negotiate with terrorists, bandits, militants and drug dealers,” he noted via Twitter on Sunday.

Duale had however hinted at possible talks with the al Shabaab while speaking to BBC Somali radio on Saturday.

“We are telling you to leave us alone. If you want, we will send you elders, religious leaders and politicians. Just tell us where you are. Leave us alone. Leave Nairobi alone, leave Machakos alone, and even Kisumu. This is very important to Somalis,” he said

“We are telling our Al Shabaab brothers, whatever they want to achieve in Somalia is theirs, but let them give us peace in Kenya. We are enjoying freedom in this country and we are allowed to practice our religion.”

He added: “Our girls wear Hijab. We have built mosques and madrassas. There was a time when we were referred to as Shifta. Fifty years from then we are part and parcel of the Kenyan community as Somalis, therefore, do not extend your problems to us here in Kenya.”

Al Shabaab militants killed a man and wounded three others in Mandera on Sunday.

The county has long been targeted by the group, which has said it wants to punish Kenya for sending troops into Somalia.

Four mechanics were attacked while driving home, said County Commissioner Alex Nkoyo said. One was killed and the other three were hospitalised.

On Friday, four people were killed when the militants attacked a convoy in the county. Officials said it was carrying Governor Ali Roba, who was unharmed.

The al Shabaab killed 64 people at a quarry and a bus in the space of little more than a week in December 2014.

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