UN trains Kenyan troops on peacekeeping operations

The UN Department of Field Support said Tuesday that it has started a training course for 60 Kenyan military officers on the engineering capability of peacekeeping troops.

The course, dubbed Engineering Plant Operation Course, is conducted under a UN-led Triangular Partnership Project intended to equip trainees with necessary skills and knowledge on operation, maintenance and recovery of heavy engineering equipment during peace support operations.

Speaking during the launch of the training course in Nairobi Tuesday, the Triangular Partnership Project Manager, Harinder Sood, said peacekeepers across the world were facing challenges, amidst rising need for protection of civilians.

"Today's peacekeeping missions are increasingly operating in non-permissive environments; in some of the poorest, conflict prone, remote and almost inaccessible areas; in places where there is little peace to keep and no agreement to support," said Sood.

He stressed the importance of engineering work in peacekeeping operations.

"Very little can be achieved in peacekeeping without the missions being actually present, without secure and livable camps, without passable roads, without functional airstrips and helipads," he said.

Major General Robert Kibochi from the Kenya Defence Forces said the army officers receiving the training had previously been deployed to neighbouring Somalia. Endit