Kenya declares Kismayu fall imminent

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) has said the capture of Kismayu, the Somalia's militia al-Shabaab stronghold is imminent.

Military spokesman Major Emmanuel Chirchir said Thursday the Kenya Government has extended amnesty to Kenyans fighting in Somalia as al-Shabaab.

"The capture of Kismayu is imminent. Kenya Government extends amnesty to Kenyans fighting in Somalia as al-Shabaab. Retreat peacefully now," he said.

On Wednesday, African Union troops captured a key town near the port city of Kismayu, killing more than 50 Al-Shabaab militia in four days of fighting, the military said.

KDF's Colonel Cyrus Oguna confirmed the capture of Jana Abdalla, which is 40 km from Kismayu.

“Jana Abdalla was seized by KDF and Amisom forces at about 14.45 and several al-Shabaab fighters neutralised. The body count is still going on,” Col Oguna said.

He said two KDF personnel and five Somali National Army soldiers were slightly injured.

“They were flown to Dobley for medical attention,” he said.

The capture of the town, one of the few in southern Somalia that was still under al-Shabaab control, comes at a time African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) troops have surrounded Kismayu ahead of a major offensive to free the last al-Shabaab stronghold.

The forces, fighting alongside the Somalia National Army and the Ras-Kamboni militia, recently captured key towns around the port city.

In the past fortnight, Amisom has captured Biibi and Miido towns and several villages as it advances towards Kismayu.