Kenyan leader lauds soldiers' global peacekeeping role

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday lauded the country's troops for their peacekeeping role across the world.

Kenyatta also applauded the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) for maintaining professionalism that has earned them global respect as well as the role they have played in Somalia.

"As Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces, I take pride in the high standard that has been the hallmark of our Defence Forces," Kenyatta said when he presided over the graduation ceremony of 2,988 new soldiers at the KDF Recruits Training School in Eldoret in northwest Kenya.

He lauded the major role the KDF plays in the United Nations Peacekeeping Missions in various parts of the world, including, among others, Africa, Europe and Asia.

He said the continuous participation of Kenyan military personnel in these missions reflects the confidence that the UN and, in particular, the Security Council, has in the KDF.

Kenyatta also lauded the role KDF has played in stabilizing Somalia in the war against terrorism.

"We must be proud of the confidence bestowed on our troops serving outside our country and also the commendable gains they have made in the war against terrorists," he said.

Kenya says it's well placed to be a net exporter of peace in the region as the east African nation modernizes its military to combat internal and external threats to stability.

Currently, the Kenyan troops are operating in six peacekeeping missions including Sudan, Lebanon, Somalia, Liberia, Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.

The East African nation is among the 120 countries that contribute military personnel and police to participate in peace keeping operations around the world.

Kenyatta reiterated the government's commitment to continue investing more in national security agencies.

"We invest in our forces in the knowledge that we can only realize our stated goal of sustainable development only when the lives of our people and their properties are secure," he said.

The president called on the new soldiers to follow in the footsteps of their superiors and colleagues.

"Your fellow countrymen expect you to execute this noble responsibility and to guard the legacy that has been bequeathed to you by maintaining the dignity, distinction and repute of our Defence Forces. Their hope is that you will never betray that trust or in any way let them down," Kenyatta said. Endit