The government of Kenya will spend up to Sh7.2 billion if the ongoing peacekeeping mission in DRC goes on for one year, Defence CS Aden Duale has said.
According to Duale, the stability of DRC affects Kenya, just like it is the case for other neighbouring countries.
The first two batches of Kenyan troops have already been dispatched to the Eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo for an initial six months.
“If Congo is not safe and stable, Kenya will be affected, same as Somalia and Ethiopia. We have a moral duty to make our contribution to what is going on in the North of Ethiopia, Somalia, DRC and South Sudan,” he said.
“It is going to cost us Sh4.5 billion for the next six months and Sh7.2 billion for a whole year. We are not sure whether we’ll be there in the next six months.”
Duale, however, noted that the African Union and the United Nations have already started providing technical and financial support to the East African Community in Regional Force.
“In one month, the European Union, UN and other bilateral members will contribute and we expect this force ultimately to be part of the UN force, the MONUSCO,” the CS said.
So far, Kenya is expected to send at least 900 soldiers to enforce peace in DRC.
The first batch left the country for DRC on November 12 and the second, comprising 200 soldiers left on Wednesday.
