Kenyan troopers who had been deployed in Darfur, Sudan for a peacekeeping mission have returned home.
The 74 Millitary police officers were received at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by Kenya Army Deputy Commander Major General Albert Kendagor on behalf of the Chief of Defence Forces General Robert Kariuki Kibochi.
The officers left Kenya on September 18, 2019, as part of the United Nations (UN) mission assigned to ensure Sudan attained sustainable peace following years of ravaging civil wars.
In December 2013, a supremacy battle erupted between President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar.
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The power struggle led into a civil war that resulted in the displacement of millions of people and the death of thousands more.
“We are pleased with the work you have done, and have projected a good image of the KDF from the service you have rendered to the people of Sudan especially in preventing crime, investigation and engaging in protocol duties as assigned,” Maj Gen Kendagor stated.
The officers returned home after they came to an agreement with the UN to withdraw the troops following the successful realisation of democratic governance in the country, support for humanitarian rights and sustainable peace.
The joint United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) began deployment in October 2007 seeking to restore peace to the war torn nation, as negotiations for peace continued.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on December 22, 2020, reached a resolution to end its mission in the country. The final withdrawal is expected before June 31.
“We are pleased with the work done by the team. We can proudly say that we have attained relative peace in Sudan,” Maj Gen Kendagor said.
The troops were expected in the country six months ago, but their return date was pushed back due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The team had comprised 65 male officers and 10 female, but one died of Covid-19.
He was first hospitalised in Karthoy, Sudan then later flown back to Kenya where he underwent treatment prior to his unfortunate demise.
Major Jackson Muthee, who was incharge of the contingent, stated that the mission was a huge success despite the harsh climatic conditions and language barriers.
“We delivered to the UN our main task to investigate and prevent crime. The team executed their mandate with real time resilience despite the climatic and social hardships.
“We had to get interpreters during our investigations which made it difficult to ascertain some information given to the peace keepers,” Maj Muthee stated.
The military police corps while in Sudan was mandated with carrying out investigations, curbing crime, enforcing traffic rules and regulations, senior personnel escorts, and providing liaison with other government forces.
The team will be put on mandatory quarantine at the Embakasi barracks, ahead of their Covid-19 testing.
