A new group of Kenya Defence Forces troops will be sent to the DRC in October under the UN Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Following preparatory training at Kangaita camp in Nanyuki, the troops will be Kenya’s additional contribution to the UN peacekeeping missions.
The team was approved by the general officer commanding Eastern Command, Maj Gen Luka Kutto, who said the training was aimed at equipping the troops with the requisite knowledge and skills vital for UN mandate implementation.
In his address to the troops, Kutto underscored the need to maintain high standards as they transition to mission areas.
“I am here to remind you that you are not only going out there as military personnel, but you are going out there as ambassadors of the Republic of Kenya. KDF is known for its professionalism in all peacekeeping and peace enforcement missions. You are expected to maintain the standards,” Kutto said.
Among the mandates the officers are expected to execute include the protection of civilians, facilitating disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of illegal armed groups and the promotion of security sector reforms achievable through the establishment and operationalisation of justice and security institutions in their area of responsibility.
“During the assessment, the troops were able to demonstrate the training they have been undergoing during preparations for the task ahead of them. This informed Kutto’s confirmation of the troops’ readiness for deployment,” KDF said in a statement.
Kenyan troops serving under Monusco were commended last month for their “outstanding performance” during a one-year tour of duty.
Last December, the Security Council adopted Resolution 2765 (2024), extending Monusco’s mandate until December 20, this year.
Other than Monusco, KDF is also deploying to the AU Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia, the successor of African Union Transition Mission in Somalia.
The UNSC mandates the AU to deploy 11,826 uniformed personnel, including 680 police personnel, until December 31 and endorsed the AU Peace and Security Council’s decision to draw down 800 uniformed personnel by the end of December 2025.
While KDF officers engage in peace enforcement in Somalia, the Kenyan Quick Reaction Force serving under Monusco engages in the protection of civilians and the support of stabilisation efforts in the DRC.
The evaluation coincided with the visit to Kenya of the Special Representative of the AU Commission chairperson for Somalia and Head of the Aussom, Ambassador El-Hadji Ibrahima Diene.
Diene met Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Charles Kahariri and briefed him on the situation in Somalia, including the Aussom mandate and operations and updates on funding from the AU and international partners.
“Ambassador Diene brought the CDF up to speed on status of Phase 1 of Aussom (Realignment and deployment of troops and transfer of locations to Somali Security Forces) and the projected outlook regarding the subsequent three phases (Securing mission’s locations, and support of offensive operations, transition and drawdown and mission exit),” KDF said.
Diene’s visit was part of his regional tour of Troop Contributing Countries to engage with their leadership.
