Kenyan head of State President William Ruto on Wednesday sent 900 troops to Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo on a peacekeeping mission as the country battles the M23 rebels that have mounted pressure to the citizens.
The Kenyan troops will join the East African Community Regional Forces (EACRF) contingent and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) which had been deployed earlier this year on the same mission. There are also soldiers from South Sudan, Burundi, and Uganda in the regional force.
“Before you are men and women from the Kenya Defence Forces… they are on a mission to protect humanity… to protect mothers and children and our brothers and sisters in DRC,” President Ruto said.
The EACRF contingent will assist DRC in its efforts to repulse M23 rebels who are camped in the North Kivu province.
The troops are expected to carry out the mandates of protect civilians, support stabilisation, and neutralize armed militias, as well as collaborate with other deployed militaries in the Eastern DRC.
Last year, sporadic terror attacks ensued around Kampala city with bombs going off at different points killing dozens. The bombs were attributed to the rebel groups that have pitched camp in Eastern Congo and in return, Uganda deployed.
Last week, M23 rebels intensified their attacks onto the local communities of the country as they pursue what they have since come out to say it is a move to bring about equality, eliminate discrimination and change of government.
At the flag off on Wednesday, President Ruto maintained a prayerful self as he asked God to protect his army.
“We pray for them as they go to execute this mandate, we pray that you go before them. Protect these men and women, give wisdom to their commanders, and give them favor even as they work with other forces,” he said.
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