Please let us be very clear: KDF can take Kismayu anytime. It has the means, men and equipment. Remember their blitzkrieg into Somali in the early stage of the OLN campaign was only held back by our cabinet due to Stato and Brito lack of support as they were not convinced Kenya could do it due to 'lack of experience' and perceived no stomach for body bags if many started coming back home - otherwise Kismayoo would have been taken by now.
Remember before Oct 2011 no one was interested in Somalia except AMISOM and only after KDF has done a lot of work (AMISOM too) has the place changed so much that even Equity wants to open its business there! And ordinary Somalis can even do mundane things like swimming! Only after KDF work is suddenly everybody getting interested - with conferences in London and Instanbul!
As a military buff, I choose to follow what the Commander In Chief says about this campaign, rather than a mere govt functionary who blurts out anything populist as he can't resist allure of a microphone and TV cameras placed in front of him. If Obako was to seek Atalanta' help, I would believe it is the govt position as discussed with his CGS and his team.
Maybe our mean new Mi-28N attack choppers will see action...