Economy

US commits billions to fight against Al-Shabaab

The US has committed billions of shillings to counter the threat from the Al-Shabaab terrorist group that has killed more than 400 people since President Uhuru Kenyatta assumed power in 2013.

US Secretary of State John Kerry, who arrived in Kenya on Sunday, said at a Press conference in Nairobi yesterday that some $100 million (Sh9.4 billion) would this year be spent in the fight against terrorism and $45 million (Sh4 billion) on the Dadaab refugee camp.

He made the comments after meeting President Kenyatta at State House. He also laid a wreath at the site of the 1998 bombing of the US embassy in Nairobi, in which more than 200 people died.

Al-Shabaab last month launched its most deadly attack in Kenya with the massacre of 148 people at Garissa University College.

“I am pleased to announce that the US has just provided an additional $45 million to the UNHCR for the operations here in Kenya,” said Mr Kerry.

“This year, a significant $100 million is coming in additional aid for the fight against terrorism here in Kenya alone,” he added.

READ: Uhuru and Kerry hold talks on security, Obama visit

Foreign Affairs secretary Amina Mohamed said last month that Kenya wanted more help with intelligence and security measures from US and European allies to prevent further attacks by the radical Somali movement.

The United States, along with other Western states, already provides training and other support for the security forces.

“Defeating terrorism requires long- term efforts. That effort must have the support of religious authorities, educators and citizens who will discredit hate and help build stronger and more resilient communities,” Mr Kerry said.

“The success of this strategy depends on building trust between authorities and local communities, including members of Kenya’s Muslim communities and Somali refugees in Kenya who fled from and despise Al Shabaab.”

Mr Kerry met for an hour and a half with Kenyatta at State House, the last 30 minutes without any aides, according to reports on Reuters.

He supported Kenya’s military operation in Somalia.

"Al- Shabaab are being pushed back and the political system is coming alive again, and I respectfully submit to Kenyans that Kenya will be safer if Somalia is more stable and South Sudan can resolve its problems," said Mr Kerry.

Mr Kenyatta’s spokesman said on Twitter that security issues and investment and trade were the focus for the talks in State House.

Kenya’s imports from the US nearly tripled last year, marking the fastest growth in trade with the world’s largest economy in Africa. US exports to East Africa’s largest economy rose to Sh168.7 billion from Sh57.4 billion the previous year — representing a 194.7 per cent growth.

The rapid growth of exports to Kenya is set to catch the eye of the world’s largest economy, which is aggressively expanding its commercial presence in Africa where China has become dominant. The US has in the past decade used initiatives such as the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) to boost its commercial relations with Africa.

Last year Kenya’s exports to the US grew by 27.7 per cent to Sh38.2 billion. A planned visit by President Barack Obama to Kenya later this year was also discussed, said the Mr Kenyatta’s spokesman.

A US official said Mr Kerry raised concerns about the Kenyan government’s threat to close the Dadaab refugee camp, home to about 335,000 Somali refugees.

The Kenyatta government has given the United Nations three months to close the camp.

Repatriating refugees without their consent to areas where their lives would be threatened would be a breach of international law.