President Uhuru Kenyatta has said Kenya will not allow the US to carry out drone strikes inside Kenya.
The President was speaking to France24 in an exclusive interview while on his official trip to France where he addressed issues relating to the fight against terrorism and the Covid-19 pandemic.
In the interview, the president also noted that it is impossible to tell how long Kenya Defence Forces personnel will stay in the waring Somalia.
The president solidly denied reports that the US military had sought his authorisation to carry out drone strikes against terrorist groups inside Kenya.
"There is no such situation. The only authorization that has happened in the past is drone strikes on terrorist bases in Somalia. We don't have terrorist bases in Kenya.
Read More
"The US hasn't even requested for authority to launch drone strikes within the territory of Kenya. Kenyan forces working with other partners have greatly reduced incidences of attacks in Kenya. We have made major progress," held President Kenyatta.
He dismissed the alleged plan, saying Kenya had made major strides in defeating terrorist networks but could not indicate when the Kenyan forces would leave Somalia.
"There is no intention either by the US or Kenya to have drone strikes. There are occasional shootouts by the Al Shabaab along the borders. We will stay until such a time when all of us shall deem it fit to exit. It is impossible to say when," stated President Kenyatta.
