KDF soldiers land in DRC for peace mission

The first batch of KDF has landed in Goma, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to support restoration of peace in Eastern DRC.

The Kenya Defence Forces troops were deployed to fight M23 rebels in the DRC in a joint regional operation. 

Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces General Robert Kibochi saw off the team at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Saturday.

This was the first batch of the 903 soldiers deployed.

Kibochi told the troops to remember their joint mission with other East African Community states to enforce peace. 

He urged the officers to obey the law of the land as they are deployed.

"We are known to follow the law wherever we go. Respect the chiefs of defence where you go," Kibochi said.

This follows the approval by the National Assembly Defence committee after a request made by President William Ruto.

President Ruto last week ordered the deployment of 903 soldiers from KDF to join a regional peacekeeping mission - the East African Community Regional Force to the Democratic Republic of Congo (EACRF-DRC).