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Kenya contributes nearly 4,000 soldiers to the African Union mission Somalia and its KDF forces are operating in the Jubaland state under Ahmed Madobe, a key ally of Nairobi.

According to the Keydmedia Online sources, President Hassan Sheikh will also visit Ethiopia and Djibouti after the Kenya trip. He expected to meet with Abiy Ahmed and Ismail Omar Guelleh.

Earlier reports put the number at close to 7,000, with the UN saying last year that Somali troops were spotted in Axum, fighting along with Ethiopian and Eritrean forces during the war against TPLF.

The military recruits were sent to Asmara following a tripartite security cooperation deal between Farmajo, Afwerk and Abiy Ahmed in late 2018.

Keydmedia Online has learned that President Hassan Sheikh has postponed his visit to Kenya as the country is in an electioneering period with Uhuru Kenyatta leaving the office after serving two terms.

Diplomatic ties between Somalia and Kenya have been at low point for the past five years, with former PM Roble pushed for a return to normalcy, and Mohamud and Uhuru pledged open new page after meeting in Mogadishu last May.

In addition, the Gulf country demanded an unnamed Emirati company to take over the management of a new airport set to be built south of Mogadishu, the capital.

Last month, Mohamud paid days-long visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) a week after his innaguration.

Hassan Sheikh was re-elected in May 15 election as the 10th president of Somalia after beating Farmajo, who lost his race for a second term in the office after five years in power.

The MP from the semi-autonomous state of Jubaland was chosen earlier this month by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who was elected by parliament in May after a long-delayed and stormy voting process.

Mohamud is a former academic and peace activist who was previously president from 2012 to 2017 but whose first administration was dogged by claims of corruption and infighting.

He made the remarks as he received Wednesday at Qasr Al Shati' Palace the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.