What government pays to families of KDF soldiers who die in line of duty – Duale

Defence CS Aden Duale has disclosed the amount of money paid to families of officers who die in the line of duty.

While responding to questions raised by Senators, Duale said the amounts vary depending on whether one was serving within the country or outside.

The CS noted that the payment is usually released within 30 days of the officer’s death.

According to Duale, families of KDF officers who die while serving in the country receive Sh4 million while those serving in peace missions outside the country get an additional amount of Sh7.4 million making the total amount in compensation Sh11.4 million.

This amount is in addition to the deceased officer’s pension.

“This is nothing to hide so I will say what we give immediately within 30 days. If the officer is serving within our country immediately he gets Sh4 million above his pension which has a component called death gratuity. But if he is serving in ATMIS in Somalia, apart from the Sh4 million, the AU and UN give that family US$50,000 (Sh7,430,000),” Duale said.

The CS further noted that the families receive additional support in terms of facilitative support that focuses on widows, orphans, dependants, and service personnel living with disabilities.

They also receive counselling and psychological support services to assist service personnel and families in coping with loss and grief.

Empowerment initiatives and reskilling programmes intended at empowering KDF widows through financial literacy and creating awareness about available financing opportunities for vulnerable groups is another way the state supports such families.

Duale said every soldier who loses life while on duty is also memorialized and given recognition.

“Every individual who loses their life in Service is honoured and accorded military burial rites, memorial services conducted and medals of honour bestowed posthumously, as applicable.”