Families of KDF soldiers killed in Somalia get Ksh.11.4M in compensation – Duale

Duale, who appeared before a Senate plenary on Wednesday was responding to a question posed by Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana on the amount given to kin of fallen soldiers.

According to Duale, the compensation amount depends on whether the officer was serving within Kenya or on international missions. 

“If the officer is serving within our country, he immediately gets Ksh.4M; above his pension which has a component called ‘Death Gratuity’.  If he’s serving in ATMIS like in Somalia, apart from the Ksh.4M, the AU and UN give that family $50,000 (approx. Ksh.7.4M),” Duale said addressing the Senate.

The sum under the KDF 'Death Gratuity' is designed to assist surviving family members with immediate expenses and readjustment.

CS Duale also highlighted that the support doesn't end with financial compensation. 

KDF have a comprehensive compensation policy that extends to injured personnel and their families. 

This policy encompasses widows, orphans, dependants, and service personnel living with disabilities.

“We have a very robust compensation policy within KDF, and families who’ve lost their loved ones are entitled to compensation package that includes financial support, which is promptly disbursed within two weeks,” he remarked.

“Section 245, subsection 10 of the KDF Act obligates the Government and more so the Ministry Defense and Kenya Defense Forces to compensate members of the KDF who lose their lives or suffer disability while undertaking military duties or training.”

Regarding Kenya's involvement in international missions, Duale credited the efforts of the African Union Transition Mission (ATMIS) in Somalia in fostering regional stability. 

“There is a semblance of a stable Government in Somalia today. The Somali Government has established and generated enough force and today you see the presence of Somalia at the forefront within Somali National Forces combating terror. That was not the case five or ten years ago,” he posited.

“I want to assure this house that the day for al Shabaab in Somalia and in our region is coming to an end.”

Kenya initiated Operation Linda Nchi in 2011, entering Somalia with the goal of combating the al Qaeda-affiliated al Shabaab Islamist group. 

This decision followed a series of border attacks and incursions by the militia group along the Kenya-Somalia border, endangering Kenya's national security and interests.

To sustain the gains made by the KDF in Somalia, Kenya was invited by the UN and AU to integrate its troops into AMISOM in November 2011. 

This formal integration took place on February 22, 2012, through United Nations Security Council Resolution 2036 (2012).

In response to a question about Kenya's mission in Haiti raised by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, Duale clarified that this mission falls outside the scope of his ministry and redirected the inquiry to Interior CS Kithure Kindiki.