The merger was announced in a colourful ceremony held in the predominantly Somali neighborhood of Eastleigh in Nairobi. Cabinet minister from the Somali government and the Somali envoy to Kenya Mohamed Ali Americo attended the ceremony at Eastleigh mall conference hall.

Somalia’s defence minister Hussein Arab Isse who spoke at the ceremony called the merger as a “victory” for the Somali youths. He urged Somali youths in Nairobi to shun tribalism and work on peace building initiatives.

Abdullahi Hajji Mohamoud, the special representative of the Somali president on reconciliation affairs urged youths to distance themselves immoral activities such as suicide bombings, adding that they should stick to their ancestral ways of life.

Officials from youth groups who merged together said they were ready to take part in rebuilding the country.

Speaking at the ceremony, Somalia’s ambassador to Kenya Mohamed Ali Americo promised to firmly support Somali youths in Kenya.