EU finally pays off Sh198m KDF debt

Dennis Tarus

October 24, 2016 3:17 PM

The European Union has released Sh198 million to the Treasury as refund for Kenyan troops fighting Al Shabaab militants in Somalia following a seven-month delay.

According to BBC reports, the delay was as a result of “accounting issues”.

The 4,000 Kenyan Defence Force (KDF) under the African Union force in Somalia (Amisom) receive the allowances through the government.

The funds are only released to Amisom by the EU once accounts from the previous payment are signed off.

Amisom officials fear that the late payments are having a negative impact have on troop morale.

Al Shabaab attacks

In the past year, four Amisom bases manned by Burundian, Ugandan, Kenyan and Ethiopian troops have been attacked by the militants.

Treasury documents show that Kenya received the money in September with the last refund coming in February.

The international community provides Sh103, 828 for each Amisom soldier each month.

However, the troops’ respective governments deduct about Sh20,000 for administrative costs.

State House says the recent decision by the European Union to cut funding to the African Union Mission to Somalia (Amisom) by 20 per cent adds to financial difficulties threatening the success of the troops in defeating Al Shabaab militants.

Kenya sent over 4,000 soldiers to Somalia after incessant attacks and kidnapping by Al Shabaab militants within its territory.

In January this year, Kenya suffered its heaviest military defeat since independence when Al Shabaab militants attacked El Adde military base, killing over 100 KDF soldiers.

Dennis Tarus