KDF troops in DRC to cost Kenya $37 million for the next six months

NAIROBI, Kenya - Kenya will spend KSH 4.5billion [$37 million] to keep Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo for the next six months.

This comes after the National Assembly’s approval of the request from the Executive to send the soldiers to the East African Community Regional Force- Democratic Republic of Congo (EACRF-DRC).

According to Belgium Member of Parliament Nelson Koech, who also chairs the Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations of the National Assembly that considered and approved the executive request said Defense Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale had explained the discrepancy.

Mr. Koech assured members of parliament that CS Duale had explained that the discrepancy emanated from changes effected on the budget after a reconnaissance visit to the area in question that necessitated a change of strategy.

“We all know that our troops are there to enforce peace, not peacekeeping. We want peace and stability in the East African region. We want to ensure that our people doing business in DRC are safe,” said Mr. Koech as he rallied the House to approve the report.

The amount is KSH 601 million above the KSH 3.8 billion contained in the memorandum to the National Security Council (NSC) on the matter.

The cost of keeping the KDF troops could go up to KSH 7 billion should they stay for one year.

It is also estimated that the annual cost of maintaining the KDF will be approximately KSH 5.5 billion to KSH 6 billion.

The Sh4.5 billion is over and above the KSH 131 billion allocated to the Ministry of Defence in the 2022-2023 financial year with KSH 128 billion for recurrent expenditure and another KSH Sh3.5 billion for development expenditure.

The expenditures for KDF in DRC will mainly go towards equipment, operations, and payment of sustenance allowances.

Kenya joins other EAC member states- Burundi and South Sudan that have already deployed their military forces to DRC.

The other EAC country, Uganda will send its troops later this month with Tanzania to join the force later.

Parliament made the decision in line with the East Africa Community (EAC) Legal framework on Peace and Security, Article 240 of the Constitution of Kenya, and the Kenya Defense Forces Act.

GAROWE ONLINE