Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has left the country for Uganda to attend the Second Extraordinary Summit of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
Kindiki departed on Friday morning aboard a Kenya Air Force aircraft and was seen off by Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya before travelling to Entebbe, where regional leaders are set to discuss the future of the AU-backed peace support mission in Somalia.
The high-level summit brings together heads of state, government officials and representatives from troop-contributing countries and regional organisations to deliberate on Somalia’s security situation.
Among the key issues expected to be discussed are the financing of AUSSOM operations, continued support for Somalia’s security sector and strategies to address growing militia activities threatening stability in the Horn of Africa.
Images shared on Kindiki’s social media platforms showed him arriving at the airbase accompanied by senior government officials before boarding the Kenya Air Force aircraft.
The Deputy President’s trip comes amid reports and political debate over claims that some administrative functions previously handled by his office have been transferred to Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
The reports have sparked speculation over possible changes within government, although neither State House nor the Office of the Deputy President has issued an official statement confirming the alleged changes.
Kindiki has dismissed the reports as “Fake News” but has not provided further details regarding the matter.
His departure also comes at a time when political discussions are intensifying over possible realignments ahead of the 2027 General Election, including speculation surrounding President William Ruto’s potential running mate.
Despite the political conversations, Kindiki has continued carrying out official duties, including overseeing government development programmes, participating in security engagements and representing Kenya in regional forums.
The Uganda summit is expected to review the progress of AUSSOM, which replaced the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), and discuss the next phase of international efforts aimed at strengthening Somalia’s security.
The meeting comes after the United States informed the African Union that it would end its financial and logistical support for AUSSOM and the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) after December 31, 2026.
The decision by the US administration was linked to concerns over the slow implementation of security sector reforms in Somalia, prompting renewed discussions among AU member states on the future sustainability of the mission.