Somalia Prime Minister Mohammed Hussein Roble landed at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Tuesday afternoon, August 10.
Roble is expected to hold talks with President Uhuru Kenyatta to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
The PM and Somalia’s President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo publicly fell out after Roble disregarded a directive by the outgoing President - suspending any bilateral agreements with foreign countries.
Kenya is seemingly leaning towards fostering better relations with Roble who has been touted as the successor to Farmajo.
The Somali President has had a frosty relationship with Nairobi before and after his term expired on February 8. The country is expected to vote for a new President in October 2021.
In February 2021, the outgoing president was forced to hand over key responsibilities to the PM by a number of local and international stakeholders.
Roble's tour to Kenya comes two days after he met Kenya's Minister of Foreign Affairs Raychelle Omamo in Mogadishu.
Omamo, however, failed to meet Farmaajo in Mogadishu as had been initially announced - raising speculation that the itinerary change had something to do with the power tussle.
A statement released by the PM's office noted that Uhuru invited Roble to Kenya. Farmajo was reported to be uncomfortable with Roble's trip to Kenya especially as the country approaches an election season.
Prior to Roble's departure, all major roads within Mogadishu were reportedly closed for several hours on Monday night, August 9.
Security forces were also deployed to man junctions and entry points leading to Adan Adde International Airport. The order was linked to President Faramaajo who reportedly issued the decree to block the PM from flying out.
Roble, however, issued a directive ordering the forces to reopen the roads.
Kenya and Somalia have been embroiled in a tussle over the Indian Ocean maritime border. Somalia also accused Kenya of interfering with its internal politics besides allegedly using the Kenya Defence Forces to attack women and youth in raids.
