Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has urged National Assembly to approve the National Peace Support Operations Fund Regulations.
He asked Parliament to delink it from the Ministry’s budget to enable the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to participate in Peace Support Operations (PSOs).
"When we go for peace support operations, we portray the image of our Defence Forces and our capability as a country. We believe that Kenya is safe when our neighbours are at peace and that’s why we go to any lengths to promote peace in our region and beyond,” he said.
The CS said that Kenya has participated in numerous PSOs since 1979 as a leading Troop Contributing Country (TCC) but there has never been a special fund for this activity adding that the military has been using the Ministry’s budget leaving it heavily constrained.
He maintained that if passed, the fund shall be critical in financing the maintenance of the Contingent Owned Equipment.
He added that it will enhance KDF’s capability to attain the appropriate levels of preparedness that meet the United Nations peacekeeping capability standards.
Duale spoke on June 13, 2023, when he presented the amended Public Finance Management (National Peace Support Operations Fund) Regulations 2023 before the National Assembly Committee on Delegated Legislation at Parliament buildings, Nairobi.
The CS said the Fund shall further help promote capacity-building programmes to enhance Force generation and Force posture of the KDF.
He said Kenya was a ranking partner in peacekeeping operations globally but has since been overtaken by other countries over the years due to inadequate financing for the operations.
He reiterated that Kenya continues to position itself as an anchor State in the region as a home of international organisations including the United Nations.
If the regulations sail through, the Fund shall help in financing research and evaluation of activities related to peace and shall be under the management of the Defence Council and administered by the Principal Secretary for Defence.
The CS said he is committed to having the money utilised in a prudent way by having a review of the performance of the fund after 10 years since the enactment of the regulations.