The compensation was disbursed in annual installments of Ksh500 million ($3.3 million) and has been crucial in supporting Kenya's efforts in maintaining peace and stability in the volatile region. Kenya's involvement in Somalia's peacekeeping mission began in 2011 when the Kenyan Defense Forces entered Somalia to pursue Al Shabaab terrorists following a series of kidnappings along the border.
The mission's formal integration into the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM), as mandated by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2036, marked a crucial step in the international effort to stabilize Somalia. In the subsequent years, AMISOM transitioned to ATMIS, with a drawdown plan in place until December 2024.
During his statement, Defence Cabinet Secretary Duale also highlighted the compensation for fallen soldiers serving in Somalia. Families of these soldiers receive Ksh4 million ($26,881) above their pension, with an additional Ksh5 million ($33,602) provided by the AU and the UN if the officer was serving in ATMIS. However, Duale did not disclose the exact number of soldiers and officers who have lost their lives in Somalia.
Kenya's presence in Somalia over the past decade has not only involved combat operations but also extensive efforts to train Somali forces, secure local communities, provide essential services like medication and water, and empower women with alternative sources of income. Additionally, Kenyan troops have successfully dismantled terrorist cells in Somalia, preventing potential attacks in Kenya.
In light of the UN's drawdown plan, which Kenya has committed to, more than 4,000 KDF personnel are set to withdraw from Somalia. This decision comes despite Somalia's recent request for a three-month postponement of the drawdown, underscoring the complex challenges and delicate balance between security and regional stability in the Horn of Africa.
As Kenya's historic peacekeeping mission in Somalia reaches its conclusion, it leaves a legacy of sacrifices made in the pursuit of peace and security, not only within Somalia but also in the broader East African region. The journey ahead will be crucial in shaping the future of Somalia and the stability of the entire Horn of Africa.
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