The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, Augustine Mahiga has condemned the killing of Somalia legislator Mustafa Haji Maalim.

Maalim was shot by unidentified gunmen on Saturday in Mogadishu. He died of his injuries in hospital.

"I am shocked and outraged by the killing of Maalim. These cowardly acts of targeted assassinations and indiscriminate bombings cannot deter the remarkable courage of the Somali people whose tenacity and determination has overcome formidable obstacles and brought us where we are now," Mahiga said.

He asked for independent investigations into the killing. Mahiga said the MPs were selected in a transparent, consultative and representative manner and were called upon to serve at a critical moment in the history of the country. He said the loss has come early in the life of the new Parliament whose work is central to the new path that Somalia has chosen. Mahiga termed the killing as a reminder of the challenges faced by the new institutions and administration inn Somalia.

Meanwhile, the Kenya Defence Force has denied allegations that Amisom troops are indiscriminately targeting civilians in their attack on Kismayu. "The allegations are mere propaganda and malicious lies that have the potential to create fear and anxiety over the Somali and Kenyans. Such propaganda have particularly targeted Amisom forces advance towards Kismayu thereby creating unnecessary tension and panic," KDF information operations officer Colonel Cyrus Oguna said.

Oguna said the KDF and Somali National Army operations in Somalia have been conducted with utmost care and concern for civilian safety . This, he said, is guided by KDF policy not to engage the red line zones; schools, hospitals, mosques, IDP Ccmps and civilian settlement.

"We would therefore like to urge the people of Kismayu not to panic and to stay calm since no harm will come their way. Instead, protection will be offered to their families and their property. For those who may wish to leave Kismayu, KDF and SNA have created safe corridors to designated IDP camps where protection shall be provided," Oguna said.

Oguna also denied allegations that KDF has been favoring one clan against others. "KDF respects and recognises all communities in Somalia as equal and does not favor any particular community in Jubaland. KDF has been neutral and will maintain the principle of neutrality at all times. We therefore wish to reassure Kenyans and the people of Somalia that KDF has no desire for selective support or affiliation with any Somali community," Oguna said.