US Counter Terror Ops in Kenya

By Scott Morgan

In Mid-September the relationship between the United States and Kenya once again came under the scrutiny of the Mainstream Media. The area of focus happened to be the Counterterrorism Partnership between the two countries.

In Feburary of this year, the United States assisted in setting a Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) for Kenya. This was in response to the attacks against Camp Simba during the previous month and resulted in the deaths of three American Servicemen and the destruction of several Aircraft that were used in Operations in neighboring Somalia. 

What has happened is that Kenyan Media , The Daily Maverick in South Africa and Declassified UK reported that the CIA had organized a Paramilitary Unit known as the Rapid Response Team (RRT) within the General Service Unit Recce Company. The GSU itself is considered to be a paramilitary organization. And the term Recce means that the unit has the capability to conduct Reconnaisance Operations.  

The reporting indicates that it was members of the GSU that were sent to Virginia to be trained for CT Operations by the United States. This training was done with the support of both the CIA and the NIS (National Intelligence Service) of Kenya. It was revealed that MI6 also provides intelligence support when gathering information on suspected terrorists. But that is not the total story.

On September 15th, the New York Times reported that the US was considering expanding its CT Operations within Kenya. One of the suggested options that was presented to both President Trump and Secretary of Defense Mark Esper was to conduct Drone Strikes within Kenya. To this date no decision has been made by either person regarding the use of Drones. It should be noted that, on September 21st of this year, a clash between the Kenyan Defense Forces (KDF) and the Somali Militant Group Al-Shabaab resulted in the death of one KDF Soldier and five Militants. 

Despite the best intentions of the US and Britain the cross border incidents with Somalia have continued during the year. One focal point happens to be Lamu County which has a large Somali Population still continues to present a security risk despite the efforts of the Kenyan Government. 

From the strategic view of the United States, Kenya is a key partner. Its proximity to vital shipping lanes does place it as an interest of the United States. The role of Kenya in the Somali Conflict can be seen as in the interests of the US as well. One key position should be that a stable Kenya is positive for East Africa. In this view, Washington does not want to see the violence that occurred after the 2007 Elections repeated. 

One concern should be about the timing of these articles. Over the last couple of decades, the Media has often wondered when an October surprise would occur? The term describes an event or crisis that takes place before Americans go to the polls to elect a new President that causes a noticable shift in support from one candidate to another. 

Was this designed to promote the policies of the Trump Administration? or to hinder it? 

We won't know until November if this will have any impact on the race. 

The other side of the coin is that this move seems to push back against the narrative that the Trump Administration is disengaging from Africa. Another way to see this move is that the Administration realizes how important Kenya is to the strategic interests of the United States and will support its effort to promote internal security. 

No matter how this is seen its a good policy move by the Administration. 

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