In an attempt to advance his own expansionist objectives, Kenadid père in late 1888 entered into a treaty with the Italians, making his realm an Italian protectorate.[4] The terms of the agreement specified that Italy was to steer clear of any interference in the sultanate's administration.[5]
However, the relationship between Hobyo and Italy soured when the elder Kenadid refused the Italians' proposal to allow a British contingent of troops to disembark in his Sultanate so that they might then pursue their battle against the Dhulbahante garad and Darawiish monarch Diiriye Guure and his emir, Mohammed Abdullah Hassan's Dervish forces.[4]