Kabaridi
JF-Expert Member
- Nov 15, 2011
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Y, APRIL 18, 2014 - 00:00 -- BY IBRAHIM ORUKO
THE senate has unanimously approved the deployment of 310 additional KDF troops for peace keeping mission in South Sudan.
Senators from both sides of the political divide supported the motion, saying the move will enhance Kenya position as a regional powerhouse.
However, they expressed concerns about the insecurity ravaging the country and called on the government to focus on making Kenya secure before exporting peace.
The deployment of the troops brings to 1,000 the total number of Kenyan soldiers in the war-ravaged country that got its independence in 2011.
Kenya has a total of 690 troops in the South Sudan who have been serving under the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan.
Under the UN resolution, the mandate of UNMISS is to support the government in peace consolidation and foster longer-term state building and economic development, help in developing capacity to provide security, establish the rule of law and strengthen the security and justice sectors.
While moving the motion, Senate majority leader Kindiki Kithure said the troops will be deployed in the town of Wau on what he described as static posture.
The soldiers will not be a fighting force but they are mandated to defend civilians and provide a safe corridor for those seeking refuge in UN camps, he said.
Kithure said the deployment will enhance Kenyan image internationally and entrench Kenya as a regional leader and diplomacy.
Minority leader Moses Wetang'ula supported the deployment and paid special tribute to UNMISS for the role they have played in peace keeping missions across the world.
He said time has come for Kenya to play a diplomatic role that commensurates with its status in the region.
We must rise to the occasion and help our brothers in South Sudan as the big brothers in the region," Wetang'ula said.
The National Assembly will have to debate the same motion as the law requires the concurrence of both houses before deployment
THE senate has unanimously approved the deployment of 310 additional KDF troops for peace keeping mission in South Sudan.
Senators from both sides of the political divide supported the motion, saying the move will enhance Kenya position as a regional powerhouse.
However, they expressed concerns about the insecurity ravaging the country and called on the government to focus on making Kenya secure before exporting peace.
The deployment of the troops brings to 1,000 the total number of Kenyan soldiers in the war-ravaged country that got its independence in 2011.
Kenya has a total of 690 troops in the South Sudan who have been serving under the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan.
Under the UN resolution, the mandate of UNMISS is to support the government in peace consolidation and foster longer-term state building and economic development, help in developing capacity to provide security, establish the rule of law and strengthen the security and justice sectors.
While moving the motion, Senate majority leader Kindiki Kithure said the troops will be deployed in the town of Wau on what he described as static posture.
The soldiers will not be a fighting force but they are mandated to defend civilians and provide a safe corridor for those seeking refuge in UN camps, he said.
Kithure said the deployment will enhance Kenyan image internationally and entrench Kenya as a regional leader and diplomacy.
Minority leader Moses Wetang'ula supported the deployment and paid special tribute to UNMISS for the role they have played in peace keeping missions across the world.
He said time has come for Kenya to play a diplomatic role that commensurates with its status in the region.
We must rise to the occasion and help our brothers in South Sudan as the big brothers in the region," Wetang'ula said.
The National Assembly will have to debate the same motion as the law requires the concurrence of both houses before deployment