Deputy President Kithure Kindiki left Kenya on Friday morning to attend the Second Extraordinary Summit of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) held in Uganda.

The summit gathers heads of state and senior officials from countries contributing troops to the mission, including Burundi, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Uganda. Representatives from the African Union (AU), United Nations, and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) are also participating.

The meeting aims to strengthen regional cooperation in addressing security challenges in Somalia, particularly the threat posed by the Al-Shabaab militant group. It also focuses on bolstering the capacity of Somali security forces as the country gradually assumes full responsibility for its security by the end of 2029.

Kenya is a key troop contributor to AUSSOM, which took over from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) at the start of 2025. The mission's mandate includes degrading Al-Shabaab, protecting civilians, and supporting the Somali government's security transition.

Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya was present to see off Deputy President Kindiki, who was also accompanied by security personnel before his departure.

The three-day summit, running from July 29 to 31, provides a platform to review AUSSOM's progress, discuss ongoing security concerns, and plan for sustained operations in Somalia.

Kenya's engagement at the summit will also facilitate collaboration with other troop-contributing countries and international partners on the mission's implementation and operational challenges.