Among the defectors was 22-year-old Abdi Dekoo from Kolbio, who was armed with an AK-47 rifle and 30 rounds of ammunition. Mohamed Sambul Ali, 35, a resident of Garissa Township, carried an RPG launcher with three warheads. Other defectors included Osman Job Aden (30), Feisal Ali Yusuf (25), Abdulahi Mohammud (60), Idris Ibrahim Ali (52), Dalma Hussein Khalif (26), Abdi Guled Musa (40), Feisal Ibrahim Bakal (21), Bule Aden Doya (60), and Ali Sheikh Abdi (75) from Hulugho, who was unarmed
At least 11 soldiers from the Somalia National Army (SNA) defected and surrendered to the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in Hulugho, Garissa County, on Sunday, citing discrimination and harassment by their commanders. The group was disarmed of eight AK-47 assault rifles, a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) launcher, and a PKM machine gun, all of which were confiscated by the military officers. The defectors also surrendered 826 rounds of ammunition.
KDF received intelligence that the soldiers were moving toward Garabey Location in Hulugho. Acting on this information, a multi-agency team led by Major Ali Mohammed of the KDF located the group, who were seated and awaiting further instructions.
Among the defectors was 22-year-old Abdi Dekoo from Kolbio, who was armed with an AK-47 rifle and 30 rounds of ammunition. Mohamed Sambul Ali, 35, a resident of Garissa Township, carried an RPG launcher with three warheads. Other defectors included Osman Job Aden (30), Feisal Ali Yusuf (25), Abdulahi Mohammud (60), Idris Ibrahim Ali (52), Dalma Hussein Khalif (26), Abdi Guled Musa (40), Feisal Ibrahim Bakal (21), Bule Aden Doya (60), and Ali Sheikh Abdi (75) from Hulugho, who was unarmed.
“The defections were allegedly due to harassment and discrimination by their superiors in the Somali National Army. All surrendered arms have been handed over to the KDF command in Hulugho,” a police report confirmed.
There was no immediate comment from KDF headquarters in Nairobi or the Somali National Army regarding the incident. Sources indicated that the Somali nationals would be repatriated to Mogadishu, while Kenyan defectors would undergo debriefing for further action. The defections come amid ongoing clashes in Somalia’s Jubaland region between local forces and the SNA, triggered by disputed elections in the federal state.
In December 2024, Jubaland regional forces clashed with SNA troops in Raaskamboni. Following the fighting, the Jubaland government claimed to have defeated the SNA forces. Around 240 SNA soldiers, including a top commander, surrendered, while approximately 300 others fled into Kenya and surrendered their weapons to the KDF.
Jubaland forces later took control of an SNA camp, burning vehicles and seizing supplies. Photographs showed dozens of SNA troops seeking refuge at a Kenyan security post in Ishiakani border town. The soldiers were later transported to Mogadishu along with their arsenal.
Following the incident, the SNA formally withdrew from Somalia’s Lower Juba region. The SNA has previously accused Jubaland President Ahmed Madobe of secretly collaborating with al-Shabaab, allowing the militant group safe passage to attack government forces. Tensions between Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Madobe have escalated in recent months, particularly over the latter’s disputed regional election victory.
As security concerns rise, Kenya has reinforced its border with Somalia to address the crisis and prevent the spillover of violence. Between November and December 2024, an international counterterrorism operation led by Interpol and AFRIPOL resulted in the arrest of 37 terror suspects across East Africa, including 17 in Kenya.
Those arrested included suspected members of ISIS and al-Shabaab, as well as individuals involved in terrorism financing, radicalization, and propaganda. Kenya has been a frequent target of terrorist attacks, but authorities report that incidents have decreased due to strengthened security collaboration between local and international agencies.
