The National Assembly Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday, November 9, approved President William Ruto’s proposal to send Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to the East African Community Regional Force to the Democratic Republic of Congo (EACRF-DRC).
The Kenyan troops will join their counterparts from Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania as they seek to find a lasting solution to conflict in the DRC.
“Having reviewed the request for approval of the deployment of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to East African Community Regional Force to the Democratic Republic of Congo (EACRF-DRC), analyzed both the oral and written submissions made before the Committee, and appreciated the applicable legal regimes at the UN, AU, EAC and the country level,” the MPs agreed.
According to the team chaired by Belgut Member of Parliament Nelson Koech, the cost of the deployment is Ksh4.45 billion, which is Ksh601.87 million above the Ksh3.85 billion in the
memorandum to the National Security Council on the matter.
However, appearing before the committee on Monday, November 7, Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale 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.
"With respect to mandate, the peace initiative is a two-track approach that comprises the political
and military processes. The main goal of the military forces is to create an environment conducive
to facilitating the political process," Duale told MPs.
The deployment summary seen by Kenyans.co.ke revealed that Kenya will send 903 soldiers as one battle group with combat support.
Burundi has already deployed two battalions and one naval squadron while Rwanda has two battalions with combat support within its borders.
On the other hand, South Sudan has one battalion, Uganda with two battalions with combat support while Tanzania promised to join the operation later.
The Kenyan Contingent (KENCON) had goodwill from residents of Eastern DRC due to
the fact that Kenya doesn’t share a border with the DRC and therefore had no direct vested
interests in the Great Lakes Conflict Ecosystem.
The committee also observed that the deployment of the KDF to the Regional Force is aligned strategically to Kenya’s national interests.
They noted that the move will enhance the country’s ability to not only respond to threats emanating from the Great Lakes Conflict System but also help to mitigate threats to Kenya’s stability and thereby enhance the security of its citizens.
Further, Kenya will be in a position to secure its vital interests including Kenyan businesses like Banks operating in the DRC, numerous Kenyan business people in the DRC, bilateral trade with the DRC, and utilization of the Mombasa port by the DRC among others.
Kenya is concerned that the situation in the DRC threatens regional peace, security, and stability of the Great Lakes, Region, the Horn of Africa, and the larger Eastern African region.
The incessant instability in Eastern DRC is likely to spill over to the Horn of Africa conflict system, including having the effect of emboldening terror groups such as Al Shabaab and thereby undermining the counter-terrorism agenda and the curbing of violent extremism.
