Pan African Visions

Kenya Defence Forces soldiers arrive in DRC for a peace mission.

August 10, 2021

By Samuel Ouma

CDF General Robert Kibochi handeding over the Kenyan flag to the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) proceeding to MONUSCO at Embakasi Garrison. Photo: Kenya Defence Forces

A contingent of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) known as Quick Reaction Force (QRF) left the country on Monday, August 9, for the Democratic Republic of Congo for a peacekeeping mission.

While seeing off the troops in Nairobi’ Embakasi Garrison, the Commander Kenya Army, Lieutenant General Walter Koipaton, said the team are ready for the task.

“I know you are very capable because I have seen you train during my visit at the pre-deployment training grounds and you are ready for this mission. I have no doubt that we have trained you to the standards required as you join other contingents,” he said.

General Koipaton appealed to the troops to diligently serve towards delivering on the mandate and strictly observe the rules of engagement to remain a credible force, as demonstrated in other missions.

He encouraged them to be true Kenyan ambassadors and cultivate good relations with the people of Congo and other contingents operating in the area.

He further urged them to be careful during the mission, saying they will be deployed in the volatile areas.

He concluded by wishing them the best and assuring them of KDF support during the mission and their families back home.

The soldiers will be working under the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) to restore peace in the violence-rocked villages in the Eastern DRC.

They will be required to protect civilians, provide security to United Nations personnel and installations, and neutralize armed militia groups in the central African country in line with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2556 (2020).

The troops are deployed under Chapter Seven of the UN Security Council and join Nepal, South Africa and Tanzania to form the Force Intervention.

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