Editor's Review

  • The talks come as the US prepares to withdraw troops from Somalia.
  • At the same, Kenyan relationships with Somalia have soured. 

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday held high profile talks with the Commander of the United States Africa Command Gen. Stephen Townsend at State House.

The talks come just weeks before American troops officially exit war-torn Somalia.

A statement from the State House indicated that the talks were aimed at strengthening the two countries' military forces. 

 "President Uhuru Kenyatta today at State House, Nairobi met Gen. Stephen Townsend, Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) during which they discussed the strengthening of military cooperation between Kenyan and American forces," read the statement. 

AFRICOM has been instrumental in restoring peace in Somalia in partnership with AMISOON forces. 

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During the meeting, Townsend was accompanied to the meeting by Kenya's Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Robert Kibochi and US Ambassador to Kenya Kyle McCarter.

US troops are set to exit Somalia, as announced by President Donald Trump. Kenya has been a strategic partner in restoring peace in Somalia. 

The development comes at a time the relationship between Kenya and Somalia have soured. 

On Monday, Somalia announced that all Kenyan diplomats should leave the country within seven. Mogadishu also recalled its diplomats based in Kenya.

In a swift reaction, the Kenyan government formed a committee to restore relationships between the neighbors.