Kenya commits more troops, tech and training to UN peace missions

Kenya has expanded support for the United Nations (UN), elevating its existing pledges within the Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System (PCRS).

Speaking at the plenary pledging session on the last day of the 2025 Peacekeeping Ministerial Conference in Berlin, Germany, Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to UN peace operations.

CS Tuya announced additional pledges to the PCRS, including; a heavy transport company, an armed helicopter unit, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Units including Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS), and one Mobile Training Team to support the UN Mine Action Service IED Threat Mitigation Team beginning September this year.

She additionally pledged to the PCRS a Counter IED and Weapons and Ammunition Management training, as well as continued support through the Triangular Partnership Programme for Counter-IED and EOD capacity.

The Defence CS reiterated Kenya’s sustained call for the United Nations to undertake a comprehensive review of its peace operations to ensure it becomes more responsive, efficient and effective, noting that the peacekeeping environment is continuously shifting.

“Over time, the peacekeeping environment has continued to shift, posing new challenges to peacekeepers. Direct attacks on peacekeepers and emerging threats such as terrorism, criminal gangs, transnational organized crimes as well as hybrid threats continue challenge traditional peacekeeping methods,” noted CS Tuya.

She also emphasized the need for all stakeholders to be collectively responsible so as to ensure the UN peacekeeping operations are fit-for-purpose and adaptable to current and future realities.

The CS mentioned the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) in Haiti led by Kenya as an example of the new peacekeeping paradigm that’s tailored, agile and regionally supported.

She expressed pride in the strides made by the mission and further issued a clarion call to the international community, appealing for greater contribution to ensure long-term success.

"We are proud to contribute to this groundbreaking initiative (MSS). However, to ensure its long-term success, we appeal to the international community for greater collaboration, to address the operational needs of the MSS,” said the minister.

Additionally, she expressed gratitude with the European Union for additional support and for the German government’s support in the construction of a Counter-IED Complex at the International Peace Support Training Centre in Nairobi.