In Kenya, soldiers traumatized by the U.S.-backed war in Somalia often face discipline instead of treatment

Christopher Katitu, a former Kenyan soldier, was convicted of desertion by court-martial after battling PTSD symptoms due to three tours of duty in Somalia. He was locked in a cell for two years awaiting a court-martial, in which he was swiftly sentenced to six more months. By Max Bearak Max Bearak Africa bureau chief based in Nairobi Email Bio Follow April 30 at 5:00 AM MAKUENI COUNTY, Kenya — In the U.S.

On a short leave home from Garissa, Katitu had a mental breakdown. But instead of being treated for post-traumatic stress disorder, he was jailed and court-martialed when he tried to rejoin his battalion. Kenya has around 4,000 troops in Somalia, which accounts for about one-fifth of the African Union contingent there.

He was one year away from qualifying for a pension. His father, an ex-soldier, had died, and Katitu’s salary was supporting a large extended family. One day, his wife showed up at his barracks and said it was not enough. Katitu was granted a week to go home and figure out his finances. “We are just sent here and there to fight without any mental preparation,” said Katitu, now 32, who once trained alongside U.S. Army Rangers. “I have never said no to an order. How can I be a deserter?”

“My reports were met by my superiors with disbelief,” she said. “Not once — not even once — was there follow-up. That crushed me. They are scared to admit there’s a problem, so they say you’re weak or incompetent and just try to get rid of you.” “There’s no space for truth-telling on those bases,” he said. “The KDF treats soldiers like Western countries did during World War I.”

U.S. backed ? I thought it’s radical Islamist terrorists in Somalia that are still murdering people now and the U.S. protected the innocent citizens

I got a case in point...and they finally fired the PTSD guy due to being 'alcoholic '

Wrong on all levels. These brave men are fighting someone else war, they deserve all the support they can get. The Kenyan government is failing them.

Pathetic even for fake news.

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