Kenya Defence Force Contingent (KENCON) deployed under EACRF-DRC has received an additional Sh600 million in a six-month operational budget.
KDF was sent to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to lead a regional force that hopes to protect civilians and bring peace to the region as part of the East African Community.
The budget which covers the 904 troops assigned to Rutushuru and Luwanja regions in Eastern DRC amounts to Sh4.5 billion from the initial budget of Sh3.8 billion in the memorandum.
According to budget estimates, operation, and maintenance will consume 44 percent of the budget, which is equivalent to nearly Sh2 billion.
Equipment is allocated Sh1.4 billion which is equivalent to 31 percent of the total budget.
Personal emoluments and sustenance allowance also take a better part of the budget as they are allocated 23.46 percent each which is equivalent to Sh1.04 billion.
Ammunition takes up to 23 percent.
Other allocations include technical stores at 12.2 percent, Utility Helicopter Operating Costs at 10.8 percent, 6.02 percent for the deployment of MD530F maintenance expenses, ration at 4 percent, 2.87 percent for KAF C208 maintenance and deployment budget, and 2.79 percent for domestic, household, cleaning, catering and tentage.
The remaining budget is allocated for minor engineering and Pol and LPG gas at 0.09 percent and 0.90 percent respectively.
Kenyan President William Ruto said his country will help facilitate peace and stability in DR Congo.
“Under the banner of the East African Community Regional Force, you are confronted with the responsibility of demonstrating the African Union’s clarion call, Africa solutions to Africa problems,” Ruto said.
“You are also charged with delivering this noble mandate to the highest professional standard. These standards guarantee the protection of civilians, facilitate the achievement of sustainable peace, and create a conducive environment for establishing democratic space, underpinning regional and national prosperity.”
Kenya became the second east African nation to send troops to the eastern DRC after Burundi.
Some Congolese civilians and politicians opposed the deployment of more troops to the region.
They accuse the thousands of U.N. peacekeepers already present of failing to protect civilians against armed groups.
The Democratic Republic of Congo was admitted earlier this year to the East African Community regional bloc, becoming the seventh member.
The Congolese troops are engaged in a fight against the M23 rebel group, which is accused of targeting civilians.
The Kinshasa government has accused Rwanda of supporting M23, a claim denied by Kigali.
Kenya will station its troops some 10 kilometers from Goma city, where they will conduct operations in an effort to return normalcy to the region.
