OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT MINISTRY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE

Telegrams: “DEFENCE”, Ulinzi House Telephone: Nairobi 2721100 P.O. Box 40668, When replying please quote NAIROBI –

MOSD/12/33/61 23 October 2011

PRESS RELEASE

OPERATION LINDA NCHI UPDATE Time of Release 1600hrs

Today is the 8th day of . The Kenya Defence Force continues to exercise its constitutional responsibility in defending and protecting the territorial integrity of the Republic of Kenya, thus invoking Article 51 of the United Nations Charter which allows for self defence against any armed attack.

STRATEGY: The overall campaign strategy remains to reduce the Al Shabaab effectiveness and to restore TFG authority in order to achieve enduring peace in .

Operational Update Sector South: Yesterday the French Naval Gun ship patrolling Somali water bombarded the town of KUDAY which is South of . Estimated death not confirmed but the French Navy promised to give damage assessment as soon as possible. The troops in corporation with TFG Forces have occupied ODDO and closing into BURGAVO town. The Commander of both KDF and TFG in KOLBIO are advancing towards BADADE. Business has resumed in the town of ODDO and have requested opening of border.

Sector Central: The Commander Lt Colonel Jeff Nyaga has made adjustment on his troops on ground to occupy a vantage point as Al Shabaab prepares to fight on this front. Rains are subsiding creating good conditions for troops maneuver. TFG troops at HAYO with good logistics ready to fend off Al Shabaab. Al Shabaab believed to be heavily regrouping in BULA HAJI and moving towards .

Sector North: KDF troops have moved through El WAK 35 km inside Somalia with the intent to capture BUSAR. Heavy rains are still being reported.

The KDF is encouraged with the continued positive and objective reporting by both the Local and International media, however we wish to warn the media and the general public not to fall prey to the circulating propaganda being practiced by the Al Shabaab especially on the social networks/forums. We urge the media to seek clarification from the undersigned on any reports posted on any of these sites before reporting it as news/facts.

Sincerely,

E C K Chirchir Major, Military Spokesperson for, Chief of the Defence Forces 0720 730 111 [email protected]