NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 15- The Kenya Defence Forces Quick Reaction Force (QRF) will on Tuesday be presented with a flag, ahead of the deployment to the troubled eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The troops will serve under the United Nations Organisation Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo for peace keeping efforts.
With the flag presentation and having concluded training, the forces are now ready to go promote peace in DRC, authorities said.
The troops underwent a spirited 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 decision to deploy KDF was agreed during a state visit to DRC by President Uhuru Kenyatta in April, 2021.
The President discussed security issues and other areas of collaboration with his counterpart President Felix Tshisekedi.
The Kenyan troops will work under the mission where they will be assigned to battle militias. According to the bilateral agreement the troops will be deployed to the eastern part of the Central African country.
KDF soldiers 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).
Since 1979, Kenya has deployed more than 55,000 troops in various peacekeeping missions.
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.
It is expected at least 1,000 Kenyan soldiers will join the peace keeping efforts in Congo.
Want to send us a story? Contact Shahidi News Tel: +254115512797 (Mobile & WhatsApp)
