Kenya and Somalia are making a fresh attempt to improve strained bilateral relations, with Kenyan Foreign Minister Rachel Omamo visiting Mogadishu to meet her Somali counterpart, Mohamed Abdirizaq. Backed by the United States and other international partners, the initiative aims to strengthen cooperation on security, economic ties, and political dialogue. Both nations have a shared interest in stabilizing their relationship, especially in countering the growing Al-Shabaab threat. The militant group has entrenched itself in Somalia’s Gedo region, launching frequent attacks into Kenya’s Mandera County. Improved intelligence sharing and coordinated border operations could help degrade Al-Shabaab’s capabilities and reduce the need for controversial Kenyan airstrikes, which have often fueled tensions.