A team of Kenyan troops that is set to be deployed in the Democratic Republic Of Congo as part of a peacekeeping mission has completed their training.
The Commander Kenya Army Lt Gen Walter Koipaton visited the Kenya Defence Forces Quick Reaction Force troops training at Kangaita Camp in Mt. Kenya, Nanyuki.
KDF said the troops successfully completed both the pre deployment training and the United Nations verification exercise prerequisites prior to deployment to United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo .
The Commander on Tuesday called upon every soldier to uphold the values of KDF, to be professional and mission ready to undertake their duties under MONUSCO.
This comes after President Uhuru Kenyatta visited Congo where he met President Felix Tshisekedi and signed a deal on defence cooperation to promote peace, security, and stability in the region.
Kenya signed various deals with DRC when President Kenyatta visited the Central African nation on April 22, 2021.
KDF soldiers will work under the mission where they will be assigned to battle militias.
KDF troops have represented Kenya in Peace Support Operations since 1979 when Kenya, a Member State of the United Nations, deployed troops in Rhodesia, present day Zimbabwe.
In line with UN Member State obligations, Kenya has reliably participated in several UN Peace Support Operations across the globe including the MONUSCO.
Presently, Kenya has deployed military staff officers and military observers to MONUSCO under the UNSC Resolution 2556 (2020).
Kenya sent about 200 troops for peacekeeping last week, with representation from all departments of the army.
The bilateral agreement provides a framework to enhance policing, counter terrorism, maritime and aviation security, immigration, and customs matters.
The focus would be on counter-terrorism, small arms and light weapons, immigration, custom and border control and police cooperation.
Officials said since 1979 more than 55,000 troops have served in various peacekeeping missions.
According to an agreement the troops will be deployed to the eastern part of the Central African country.
Security in the eastern DRC has deteriorated with the recent case being the killing of Italy Ambassador Luca Attanasio, his bodyguard and a World Food Programme driver.
For years, trade between Kenya and DRC has been insignificant because of insecurity in the central African country.
“Kenya will volunteer to be part of the Rapid Intervention Brigade to support the Congolese army in a bid to eradicate security in the eastern part of the country.”
A brigade consists of a few battalions and anywhere from 3,000 to 5,000 soldiers. Kenya is likely to send almost 1,000 troops.
